Investigations into a possible impeachment of US President Donald Trump continue to gather momentum: Democrats in the US House of Representatives have now called on the White House, under penalty of punishment, to hand over documents related to Trump's policy towards Ukraine.
If the information is not available by 18 October, this will be considered as obstructing investigations into the possible impeachment of Trump, said the chairmen of the three investigating committees. The White House had not responded to previous requests to voluntarily issue documents, the letter said to Trump's incumbent Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Therefore, they have now resorted to the call for release under penalty threat, a so-called subpoena.
"We regret that President Trump brought us - and the whole country - into this situation, but his actions left us no choice but to issue this subpoena," wrote the chairmen of the three committees investigating Trump. They accused the US president of having taken the "path of disrespect, obstruction and cover-up". The letter is signed by Elijah Cummings, Adam Schiff and Elios Engel.
#BREAKING @RepCummings, @RepAdamShip, & @RepEliotEngel subpoena White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney for key documents as part of the impeachment inquiry by President Donald Trump. https://t.co/lMTRBs8t0b
- Oversight Committee (@OversightDems) October 4, 2019The three committee chairpersons had previously requested documents from Vice President Mike Pence, including interview minutes, e-mails, and all relevant communication with other government agencies on Ukraine. In addition, MEPs want all the information on several meetings that Ukraine was involved in, as well as all documents granting military aid. The list of documents requested by the White House, however, was not made public.
So far it is unclear whether the White House will bow to the subpoena. In the letter, the deputies explained in detail why the White House had to bow to the parliamentary control function in this matter and could not hide behind the privilege of government secrets.
Trump had asked on Friday morning on demand, but whether the White House would cooperate, would have to decide the lawyers of the government.
Video analysis: "Trump has lost all inhibitions"
Reuters / Spiegel Online
The Democrats had started preparing for impeachment Trump last week over the Ukraine. Trump came under pressure after it became known that he had encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj in a telephone conversation in late July to investigate his rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter. According to the Democrats, Trump is said to have detained relief funds for the Ukrainian military as a lever and made a meeting with Selenskyj in the White House dependent on them. Trump denies the allegations.
On Thursday, the president had also asked China to investigate the bidders in front of cameras. The Democrats see Trump's attempt to win the 2020 election with the help of a foreign government.
"Wrong and terrifying"
Trump was confident of victory despite the growing pressure. The Democrats could push the impeachment process in the House of Representatives, but it will fail miserably at the latest in the majority Republican Senate, so Trump on Friday morning. The senators would realize that the "unfair" approach was only a "duck" and a "shame". "We will win," he said. The senators are also aware that he enjoys the Republican Party's highest popularity.
Meanwhile, an influential Republican senator, Mitt Romney, wrote on Twitter, Trump's call on Ukraine and China to investigate Biden's business was "false and frightening."
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Trump accuses Biden of trying to sack the Ukrainian Attorney General as US Vice President to protect his son Hunter from the judiciary. At that time Hunter Biden was employed by a Ukrainian gas company against which at times it had been determined. According to Trump, Hunter Biden is also said to have benefited from his father's role in doing business in China. He has not yet provided evidence for this. Joe Biden, who is campaigning for Democratic presidential candidacy for the 2020 election, dismisses the allegations as groundless and politically motivated.
On Thursday evening (local time), the secret service committee had published a whole series of explosive text messages in the House of Representatives. They revealed how Ukraine should be made to commit to the investigation. In addition, they point out that Trump has made a meeting with Selenskyj in the White House dependent on the latter being involved in the Cause Biden. The news, most of which comes from US top diplomats, was released following the closed hearing of former Special Envoy for Ukraine, Kurt Volker.
