After calls for transparency, Trump has released the transcript of a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the New York Times.
What We Know:
- You can read the transcript here. Bear in mind it isn’t the full 30-minute call.
- This situation began with a whistleblower complaint about a phone call between Trump and Zelensky; the whistleblower claimed Trump was using American aid as leverage to push Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son over corruption allegations with Ukraine. This accusation is referred to as quid pro quo (I will scratch your back if you scratch mine.)
- Trump’s call with Zelensky was meant as a way to congratulate him on his recent election win. The call begins with Zelensky trying to praise Trump, he talks about “draining the swamp” and how he “has learned how to campaign by watching Trump”, this is a tactic many leaders use to try and influence Trump.
- Trump later switched the topic by first stating, “I need you to do us a favor.” This started talks about the cybersecurity company, Crowdstrike, which has connections to the Democratic National Committee and is accused of hacking their network during the 2016 election.
- Next, Trump talked about investigating Joe and Hunter Biden. This section began the controversy which led people on the right/left to decide the narrative by either saying, Trump is innocent or he is guilty of quid pro quo. We also have people making up quotes.
To open a very serious hearing, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) delivers a completely made-up account of President Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian President.
Very normal and professional. pic.twitter.com/NnNXvylya0
— BlazeTV (@BlazeTV) September 26, 2019
With these findings, Nancy Pelosi called for an impeachment inquiry which allows the speaker a few additional powers including assigning the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the case, no time limit will be placed on the investigation and public hearings can be scheduled at the discretion of the committee chair.
