Donald Trump had gotten caught trying to extort Ukraine and he knew it when he finally decided to release some $400 million in military aid he had been withholding from the country. The New York Times reports:
President Trump had already been briefed on a whistle-blower’s complaint about his dealings with Ukraine when he unfroze military aid for the country in September, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Lawyers from the White House counsel’s office told Mr. Trump in late August about the complaint, explaining that they were trying to determine whether they were legally required to give it to Congress, the people said.
Now we know where Trump got tipped off to the notion that he didn't want a 'quid pro quo,' the terminology he offered when Ambassador Gordon Sondland called him up to inquire about the matter on either September 7 or 9 (the date hasn’t been consistent). Trump using such precise language without being prompted was always a question mark because he clearly doesn't bat around Latin phrases very often. The lawyers briefing Trump likely used the term when discussing the complaint with him, though that's pure speculation.
But given the timing of Sondland's call, Trump was almost certainly covering his behind when he allegedly professed to Sondland that he wanted "nothing" from Ukraine. The revelation shreds one of the key defenses Trump and GOP lawmakers have used to deny the fact that he had linked the military aid to political favors he sought from Ukraine. Trump’s denials were simply the product of him knowing he stood accused of wrongdoing.
Trump also denied demanding anything from Ukraine in return for the aid when he spoke with GOP Sen. Ron Johnson several days after being informed of the complaint. When Johnson asked Trump directly if the aid was contingent on Ukraine taking some other action, Trump angrily denied it.
“Without hesitation, President Trump immediately denied such an arrangement existed,” Mr. Johnson wrote in a letter this month to House Republicans.
Mr. Trump erupted in anger and began cursing, he wrote.
“‘No way,’” Mr. Trump said, according to Mr. Johnson. “‘I would never do that. Who told you that?’”
Gee, who could have ever guessed Trump was lying?
