This is a quick diary to call attention to emails about the “Ukraine obligation pause” which was double-speak for “withholding Ukraine funding until POTUS gets a smear-job on Biden.”
It’s near-impossible to distill everything reported following this opening salvo:
Just Security has viewed unredacted copies of these emails, which begin in June and end in early October. Together, they tell the behind-the-scenes story of the defense and budget officials who had to carry out the president’s unexplained hold on military aid to Ukraine.
The documents reveal growing concern from Pentagon officials that the hold would violate the Impoundment Control Act, which requires the executive branch to spend money as appropriated by Congress, and that the necessary steps to avoid this result weren’t being taken. Those steps would include notifying Congress that the funding was being held or shifted elsewhere, a step that was never taken. The emails also show that no rationale was ever given for why the hold was put in place or why it was eventually lifted.
See for more details including screenshots of emails:
https://www.justsecurity.org/67863/exclusive-unredacted-ukraine-documents-reveal-extent-of-pentagons-legal-concerns/
It’s well worth the read to see how far Barr went to protect trump and how many knew damn well trump’s extortion of the Ukraine was illegal.
Hmmm. That phrase: “Obligation Pause.”
Perhaps the next time the rethugs attack Pelosi for not sending the Impeachment Articles to the Senate, Nancy can say, “It’s not illegal. It’s simply an obligation pause.”