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Occurred on July 25, 2019
Trump’s Extortion of Ukraine: ‘I would like you to do us a favor’
Background
The demand "I would like you to do us a favor" uttered by Trump, served as the linchpin of a brazen extortion scheme that shook the foundations of U.S.-Ukraine relations. Against the backdrop of Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal invasion and occupation, Trump leveraged crucial military aid and support approved by Congress as bargaining chips. In exchange for this assistance vital to Ukraine's security, Trump insisted that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy launch an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, a candidate for the 2020 election, and his son Hunter. This egregious abuse of power not only jeopardized Ukraine's sovereignty but also raised profound concerns about the integrity of the U.S. electoral process and the erosion of democratic norms.
As details of the scheme emerged, it became apparent that Trump and his cronies had orchestrated a complex web of deception and coercion. Reports revealed a concerted effort to fabricate damaging information about Biden, including approaching and conspiring with Russian agent Derkach and his associates. The goal was clear: to influence public opinion and manipulate the outcome of the 2020 election.
Here is what happened…
Trump urged Ukraine to investigate the Bidens: In the reconstructed transcript, Trump pressures Zelenskyy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, for alleged misconduct in Ukraine, despite no evidence.
Trump alluded to American aid: While not explicitly linking his request to unfreezing aid, Trump's discussion about American assistance coincided with his decision to withhold military aid to Ukraine, approved by Congress.
Zelenskyy agreed to pursue an inquiry into the Bidens: Zelenskyy assured Trump of his commitment to investigate, highlighting Ukraine's dependence on US support amid an ongoing assault by Russia.
Zelenskyy sought counsel from U.S. Embassy staff in Kyiv, including then-Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, regarding the precarious position he found himself in. He expressed apprehensions about potential coercion from Trump and his cronies to take actions that could influence the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential race.
White House officials and a whistleblower expressed concerns about potential legal violations and national security risks, suggesting Trump's actions could be construed as soliciting foreign interference in US elections.
Trump, again, mentioned debunked Russian disinformation of Ukrainian involvement in the DNC email hack, emphasizing his attorney Rudy Giuliani's efforts to push the narrative— devised by Russian intelligence.
"Even as summarized by this White House, and what we know about the freeze on Ukraine aid before the call, any competent federal prosecutor would charge this as a quid pro quo," said Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor in New York. "This is bribery."
Why It Matters…
The US president, in the most powerful position in the world, was seen pressuring and attempting to extort Ukraine to open a baseless investigation in exchange for crucial military aid, approved by Congress. This abuse of power raised alarming questions about the integrity of US foreign policy, the rule of law, and the sanctity of democratic processes. At stake was not just the credibility of the presidency, but also the fundamental principles of justice and national security, particularly in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine and a broader hybrid war against the West. This brazen disregard for ethical norms and legal constraints highlighted the depths to which Trump was prepared to go in furthering his political objectives, irrespective of the ramifications for Ukraine, the United States' global standing, US national security, or the democratic principles upon which the United States was founded.