Trump's defense skips over an important fact - Consider This by JD Consider This by JD

Trump’s defense skips over an important fact

One of President Trump’s defenses to his impeachment is that he withheld aid from Ukraine because of his concern for corruption in the country. But there’s a significant fact he doesn’t mention.

According to Trump, then-Vice President Joe Biden told Ukraine’s president at the time, Petro Poroshenko, the U.S. would withhold $1 billion in loan guarantees unless Ukraine’s prosecutor general Victor Shokin was fired. According to Trump, Shokin was investigating Burisma, where Bidens’ son, Hunter, sat on the board of directors, and Joe Biden was trying to protect his son. Shokin was fired in March 2016.

Here’s the part of the story Trump doesn’t mention. Joe Biden wasn’t alone in trying to oust Shokin. Several U.S. senators joined in the effort. In a letter of February 12, 2016, eight senators—Rob Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)—wrote to Poroshenko, expressing concern about corruption in Shokin’s office. Here are highlights from that letter

“We write to express our concern regarding the recent resignation of Minister of Economy Aivaras Abromavičius‎ and his allegations of persistent corruption in the Ukrainian political system.

“Minister Abromavičius’ allegations raise concerns about the enormous challenges that remain in your efforts to reform the corrupt system you inherited.

“We similarly urge you to press ahead with urgent reforms to the Prosecutor General’s office and judiciary.”

Trump isn’t being straight with the facts? Say it ain’t so.

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Jack D’Aurora writes for Considerthisbyjd.com

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27
JAN

Comments

robin January 28, 2020

Thanks, Jack. I love the “fact finders” in this world of deceit. I am sure the Managers will reinforce this in their final deliberations. I think all of us are tired of this effort to document both sides of the arguments.
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Steven Spring January 28, 2020

One thing I have learned about this president is that you cannot believe a single word he says. Nor, apparently anyone associated with him for that matter. So it is, Jack.
reply
Ron January 29, 2020

Impeachment will go nowhere. Moreover, this Senate drama will not persuade the Trumpsters. The overriding election issue will not be his name calling divisiveness, or honesty. Like demagogues before him, Donald has perfected the art of the “big lie”. The primary election issue will be (as an advisor to Bill Clinton once said “Its’ the economy stupid.”) The Dems, with their array of uninspiring candidates, may not be able to effectively answer the inevitable Trump question: “are you better off today than you were 4 years ago?”. The typical caucasian working class family gleefully perceives this President as the rebellious spirit against the professional politician.Their Trump fervor results from their failure to participate in America’s economic growth, perceived by them as (1) having been caused by the congressional propensity to give money to undeserving slackards, scammers and “no counts”; (2) their perception that congress feathers its’ own nest, and (3) is bought and sold by the interest group who provides them with the most money. The “big lie” works and the Donald will likely be re-elected.
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robin January 28, 2020

Thanks, Jack. I love the “fact finders” in this world of deceit. I am sure the Managers will reinforce this in their final deliberations. I think all of us are tired of this effort to document both sides of the arguments.

Steven Spring January 28, 2020

One thing I have learned about this president is that you cannot believe a single word he says. Nor, apparently anyone associated with him for that matter. So it is, Jack.

Ron January 29, 2020

Impeachment will go nowhere. Moreover, this Senate drama will not persuade the Trumpsters. The overriding election issue will not be his name calling divisiveness, or honesty. Like demagogues before him, Donald has perfected the art of the “big lie”. The primary election issue will be (as an advisor to Bill Clinton once said “Its’ the economy stupid.”) The Dems, with their array of uninspiring candidates, may not be able to effectively answer the inevitable Trump question: “are you better off today than you were 4 years ago?”. The typical caucasian working class family gleefully perceives this President as the rebellious spirit against the professional politician.Their Trump fervor results from their failure to participate in America’s economic growth, perceived by them as (1) having been caused by the congressional propensity to give money to undeserving slackards, scammers and “no counts”; (2) their perception that congress feathers its’ own nest, and (3) is bought and sold by the interest group who provides them with the most money. The “big lie” works and the Donald will likely be re-elected.

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