Donald Trump’s Ukraine quid pro quo is ‘beyond anything Nixon did’, impeachment chair Adam Schiff claims
- Democrats accuse Trump of withholding almost US$400 million in military aid, contingent upon Ukraine opening an investigation into Joe Biden
- Inquiry produced an avalanche of corroboration for the allegations against Trump and Democrats are expected to prepare articles of impeachment
He stalled almost US$400 million in military aid and a White House visit for new Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, allegedly to coerce Kiev – which is at war with Russia – into helping.
The plot would have worked, say Democrats, if not for a whistle-blower whose complaint about the July call reached Congress on September 9, ensuring the aid was handed over two days later.
“What we’ve seen here is far more serious than a third-rate burglary of the Democratic headquarters,” said House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff, referring to the infamous 1972 Watergate break-in that Nixon ordered, eventually leading to his resignation. “What we’re talking about here is the withholding of recognition in that White House meeting [and] the withholding of military aid to an ally at war. This is beyond anything Nixon did.”
Schiff spoke at the close of marathon testimony by nine witnesses over three days – on top of two days of hearings last week – that produced an avalanche of corroboration for the allegations against Trump.