Government watchdog concludes Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid: CNN

[Stuart G]

Dennis Donavon posted this in Discussion form...credit goes to him. at the following link:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212876583

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https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/gao-report-administration-violated-law-withholding-aid/index.html


(CNN) — The Government Accountability Office says the Trump administration broke the law when it withheld US security aid to Ukraine last year that had been appropriated by Congress -- an issue at the center of the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

The GAO, a nonpartisan congressional watchdog, said in a decision issued Thursday that the White House budget office violated the Impoundment Control Act, a 1974 law that limits the White House from withholding funds that Congress has appropriated.

The Office of Management and Budget told the GAO it "withheld the funds to ensure that they were not spent 'in a manner that could conflict with the President's foreign policy,'" said Thomas Armstrong, the GAO's general counsel.

"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 GAO wrote. "OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act. The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA."

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The last paragraph is the key..be sure to read it...

[ScratchCat]

1. In the real world

This would make removal certain.

But we no longer live in the real world since 01/20/17.

Hope I'm wrong.

[SummerSnow]

2. In 3....2....1...

Trump will ban The Government Accountability Office. First, he will say they work for the Dems and part of the Deep State.

[Stuart G]

3. Trump cannot ban the "Government Accountability Office" It would prove he is "totally nuts"

...If he tries that..then he is...totally nuts!!

[SummerSnow]

4. He will try it, He'll get Barr to investigate them. Watch.

And the guy that runs it is an Obama holdover so he'll be in Trumps crosshairs

[Stuart G]

5. Trump will try anything to get out of this. But the score is 45 to 0 in the last of the 9th.

The finest relief pitcher in the Major Leagues is pitching the last inning. The three worst hitters on the team will be up to bat, and most of the crowd has left. So who will win? You be the judge.

I would say....The game is over....but anything can happen..(I guess )

[dubyadiprecession]

6. Geez, all of this looking the other way..

...is going to give Moscow Mitch some serious whiplash!

[Karadeniz]

7. How about Puerto rico?????