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GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
This is the headline from that font of left-wing neverTrumpers aka Fox. I'm sure the "deep state conspracy" paranoid will be along to say "see, we told you - it's the deep state conspiracy in action. And even if he did break the law, who cares anyway. He should be free to do whatever he wants without any silly laws to stop him."

GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid


The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion on Thursday saying that President Trump's administration broke the law by withholding defense aid to Ukraine — the issue at the heart of the president's impeachment trial.

That money, $214 million which had been allocated to the Department of Defense for security assistance, was appropriated by Congress and therefore the administration did not have the right to hold it back just because it disagreed with its allocation, the opinion from the nonpartisan government watchdog said.

"Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the opinion said. "[The Office of Management and Budget] OMB withheld funds for a policy reason ... not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that the OMB violated the ICA [Impoundment Control Act]."
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
This is the headline from that font of left-wing neverTrumpers aka Fox. I'm sure the "deep state conspracy" paranoid will be along to say "see, we told you - it's the deep state conspiracy in action. And even if he did break the law, who cares anyway. He should be free to do whatever he wants without any silly laws to stop him."

GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid


The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion on Thursday saying that President Trump's administration broke the law by withholding defense aid to Ukraine — the issue at the heart of the president's impeachment trial.

That money, $214 million which had been allocated to the Department of Defense for security assistance, was appropriated by Congress and therefore the administration did not have the right to hold it back just because it disagreed with its allocation, the opinion from the nonpartisan government watchdog said.

"Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the opinion said. "[The Office of Management and Budget] OMB withheld funds for a policy reason ... not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that the OMB violated the ICA [Impoundment Control Act]."
There have been past withholding of fundings from the Ukraine. It's nothing new in the first place.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...aa030e-1b95-11ea-826b-14ef38a0f45f_story.html



OMB: Ukraine aid delay was consistent with law, past practice

Except this time around the socialist Democrats are trying to deceive the public into thinking this was an illegal action when the same exact thing happened at least 8 times prior.

They are trying to attempt a coup and failing miserably.
 

Spartan

Well-Known Member
This is the headline from that font of left-wing neverTrumpers aka Fox. I'm sure the "deep state conspracy" paranoid will be along to say "see, we told you - it's the deep state conspiracy in action. And even if he did break the law, who cares anyway. He should be free to do whatever he wants without any silly laws to stop him."

GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid

That's nonsense. But let me educate you on the fate of this bogus Impeachment hoax.

PROPHECY BY HANK KUNNEMAN: May 22, 2019, about Impeachment:

"They shall say through the 90 days of summer, 'We are now ready to bring articles of impeachment.' Ha! What you seek to take out by your impeachment shall lead to your own demise and in the fall of 2020 there shall be a great fall," says the Spirit of God. This I speak—listen to the warning that I give to you," says the Spirit of God, "stop or you shall fall. Stop or you and your party will be consumed—for you are kicking against the pricks." "What do I speak? You are speaking against and working against My plan! This is not a political thing, even though you may say that it is. You are working against My hand, therefore you will see your foolishness cause a boomerang upon your own party and there is an exoneration that shall come to this house and to this land."

"An Elijah List Exclusive: Prophecy Decoders – Impeachment, Boomerang, Exoneration"
 

wellwisher

Well-Known Member
This is the headline from that font of left-wing neverTrumpers aka Fox. I'm sure the "deep state conspracy" paranoid will be along to say "see, we told you - it's the deep state conspiracy in action. And even if he did break the law, who cares anyway. He should be free to do whatever he wants without any silly laws to stop him."

GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid


The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion on Thursday saying that President Trump's administration broke the law by withholding defense aid to Ukraine — the issue at the heart of the president's impeachment trial.

That money, $214 million which had been allocated to the Department of Defense for security assistance, was appropriated by Congress and therefore the administration did not have the right to hold it back just because it disagreed with its allocation, the opinion from the nonpartisan government watchdog said.

"Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the opinion said. "[The Office of Management and Budget] OMB withheld funds for a policy reason ... not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that the OMB violated the ICA [Impoundment Control Act]."

The timing is sort of strange. This declaration would have helped the Democrats during the Congressional kangaroo court impeachment process. Yet the GAO held it back until after Republican Congressmen had any opportunity to cross examine the claim. The coup goes on.

According to the GAO, if Congress decides to give money to a corrupt foreign government, who will more than likely steal money, and share it with shady Democrats and their families, the President is obligated to go along with the scam.

The President, according to the GAO, does not have to right to interfere in Congressional money laundering. Everyones knows that! That must make sense to Biden and Son, Kerry and son, as well as Pelosi and son. Did you hear that Pelosi's son had a similar job as Hunter Biden, on a board of directors?
 

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
There have been past withholding of fundings from the Ukraine. It's nothing new in the first place.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...aa030e-1b95-11ea-826b-14ef38a0f45f_story.html



OMB: Ukraine aid delay was consistent with law, past practice

Except this time around the socialist Democrats are trying to deceive the public into thinking this was an illegal action when the same exact thing happened at least 8 times prior.

They are trying to attempt a coup and failing miserably.
The OMB comes under the authority of the Executive branch, while the GAO is totally independent. The executive branch defending itself isn't unusual, but I strongly doubt that it is impartial.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Breaking news. GAO says the Obama Administration broke the law
GAO: Obama White House Violated Law in Engagements With China
I did find a neutral web site that reported that GAO Says White House Broke the Law by Holding Science Meetings With China

I could not find out what happened next, if anything and how that might be comparable to Trump.

But on the face of it, it's a valid point.

Now how about admitting the reverse, that what Trump did was wrong? Or state that it's ok because both had GAO reports about law violations.
 

esmith

Veteran Member
I did find a neutral web site that reported that GAO Says White House Broke the Law by Holding Science Meetings With China

I could not find out what happened next, if anything and how that might be comparable to Trump.

But on the face of it, it's a valid point.

Now how about admitting the reverse, that what Trump did was wrong? Or state that it's ok because both had GAO reports about law violations.
Until I know the facts I can not say that Obama or President Trump broke the law.
 

sooda

Veteran Member
This is the headline from that font of left-wing neverTrumpers aka Fox. I'm sure the "deep state conspracy" paranoid will be along to say "see, we told you - it's the deep state conspiracy in action. And even if he did break the law, who cares anyway. He should be free to do whatever he wants without any silly laws to stop him."

GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid


The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion on Thursday saying that President Trump's administration broke the law by withholding defense aid to Ukraine — the issue at the heart of the president's impeachment trial.

That money, $214 million which had been allocated to the Department of Defense for security assistance, was appropriated by Congress and therefore the administration did not have the right to hold it back just because it disagreed with its allocation, the opinion from the nonpartisan government watchdog said.

"Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the opinion said. "[The Office of Management and Budget] OMB withheld funds for a policy reason ... not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that the OMB violated the ICA [Impoundment Control Act]."

Get ready for Hannity.. It will come down to "so what, we don't care if Trump broke the law".
 

Shad

Veteran Member
This is the headline from that font of left-wing neverTrumpers aka Fox. I'm sure the "deep state conspracy" paranoid will be along to say "see, we told you - it's the deep state conspiracy in action. And even if he did break the law, who cares anyway. He should be free to do whatever he wants without any silly laws to stop him."

GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid


The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion on Thursday saying that President Trump's administration broke the law by withholding defense aid to Ukraine — the issue at the heart of the president's impeachment trial.

That money, $214 million which had been allocated to the Department of Defense for security assistance, was appropriated by Congress and therefore the administration did not have the right to hold it back just because it disagreed with its allocation, the opinion from the nonpartisan government watchdog said.

"Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the opinion said. "[The Office of Management and Budget] OMB withheld funds for a policy reason ... not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that the OMB violated the ICA [Impoundment Control Act]."

US foreign policy is determined by POTUS as per the Constitution. GAO has no case.
 

Shad

Veteran Member
I remember when POTUS started a peace treaty with Iran.

Treaties require ratification by Congress. Obama didn't send it for ratification thus his deal was only an EO which can be revoked by an EO. Ergo a new POTUS revoked the previous POTUS' EOs regarding Iran.


Did Obama get Congressional for approval? Nope.

But back then, POTUS didn't dictate foreign policy, Congress did. Remember that?

Too bad you got basic facts wrong. Obama still made the deal, Obama still transferred funds. Ergo a POTUS still determined US policy. Try again.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Wrong. Read the Constitution. GAO does not trump the Constitution. Congress does not dictate foreign policy, POTUS does. The GAO is claiming that Congress dictates foreign policy when it doesn't by law. Your link establishes nothing to counter what I said. More so it is a Congressional department not Judaical thus does not provide legals views.

The GAO mission statement part that you are ignoring says

legal opinions to determine whether agencies are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

They report to Congress and Congress decides what to do with that information.

And the President is not all powerful when it comes to foreign affairs: U.S. Foreign Policy Powers: Congress and the President
 

Shad

Veteran Member
The GAO mission statement part that you are ignoring says

legal opinions to determine whether agencies are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

They report to Congress and Congress decides what to do with that information.

And the President is not all powerful when it comes to foreign affairs: U.S. Foreign Policy Powers: Congress and the President

POTUS isn't an agency. Read what you link especially the section on POTUS powers

Commence isn't foreign aid.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
The U.S. Constitution parcels out foreign relations powers to both the executive and legislative branches. It grants some powers, like command of the military, exclusively to the president and others, like the regulation of foreign commerce, to Congress, while still others it divides among the two or simply does not assign.


The separation of powers has spawned a great deal of debate over the roles of the president and Congress in foreign affairs, as well as over the limits on their respective authorities. “The Constitution, considered only for its affirmative grants of power capable of affecting the issue, is an invitation to struggle for the privilege of directing American foreign policy,” wrote constitutional scholar Edward S. Corwin in 1958.
 

sooda

Veteran Member
Treaties require ratification by Congress. Obama didn't send it for ratification thus his deal was only an EO which can be revoked by an EO. Ergo a new POTUS revoked the previous POTUS' EOs regarding Iran.


Did Obama get Congressional for approval? Nope.



Too bad you got basic facts wrong. Obama still made the deal, Obama still transferred funds. Ergo a POTUS still determined US policy. Try again.

Part of the GAO's job is to render legal opinions.
 
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