This is the manuscript of a book that Donald Trump would happily do without. Former national security adviser John Bolton says in drafts of a book called The Room Where It Happened (release scheduled for March 17), that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, wanted to freeze military aid to Ukraine until Kiev investigates its potential presidential rival, wrote the New york times, Sunday January 26.
The Democrats quickly reacted to this article in the American daily to demand that Mr. Bolton, and others in important positions in the Trump administration, be summoned to testify at the trial of the billionaire's current removal from the Senate. They also want Mick Mulvaney, the president's chief of staff, to testify.
Referring to Mr. Bolton's unpublished work, the New york times claims President has told Bolton of refusal to pay $ 391 million (354 million euros) in aid to Ukraine until Ukrainian authorities help by launching an investigation into the Democrat Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of directors of a Ukrainian gas group.
The House of Representatives, in the hands of the Democrats, indicted the president on December 18. The Senate, controlled by the Republicans (53 seats out of 100), is responsible for deciding on a possible dismissal at the end of the current trial.
"I never told John Bolton that aid to Ukraine was linked to the launching of an investigation against Democrats, the Biden in particular", replied Donald Trump on Twitter. "If John Bolton said it, it's only to sell his book. "
The former New York businessman is charged with abuse of office and obstructing the smooth running of Congress. Two thirds of the senators are necessary for his dismissal.
President's defense threatened
His lawyers say there was no condition for the aid, arguing that his freeze was independent of the requests for an investigation into the Biden. But Mr. Bolton's manuscript would contradict this defense. Mr. Bolton has already indicated that he is ready to testify if he receives a summons. In a press release, one of John Bolton's lawyers suggests that the report of the New york times is faithful to reality and specifies that the manuscript was submitted on December 30 to the National Security Council, as is the procedure when information covered by secrecy is at stake. The White House could try to delay the publication of the book or block some of its content.
Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who is leading the charge against Donald Trump’s dismissal trial, recalled on Twitter that Donald Trump " at(Vait) blocked our request for John Bolton's testimony ". "Now we see the reason: Bolton directly contradicts the heart of the President's defense", he continued.
For the President of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, the Republicans' refusal to hear John Bolton or other witnesses and documents is "Now even less justifiable". "The choice is clear: our Constitution or a cover-up", she added on Twitter.
