Associated Press Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wasn’t mincing words about why White House staff tried to limit the dissemination of President Donald Trump’s now-controversial call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Even though there was nothing classified in it, the president’s behavior was at least embarrassing if not illegal and impeachable.”
A summary of that call released by the White House shows Trump asking Zelensky “to do us a favor” after the Ukrainian president said the country was ready to buy Javelin missiles.
Clinton, Trump’s rival in 2016, discussed the situation with Stephen Colbert on the comedian’s talk show that aired on Monday night. Colbert asked him about the news Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on the call.
Clinton said that, during the Obama administration, the government prepared for phone calls with foreign leaders, usually looping in the State Department and Defense Department. “Because you’ve got a president who doesn’t listen to anybody and doesn’t follow instructions whatsoever, I’m not sure if they have given up giving him preparation.”
The White House maintains the House impeachment inquiry is politically motivated, and Trump says he was trying to focus on the conduct of former Vice President Joe Biden, whose son served as a lawyer for a Ukrainian natural gas company. Both Bidens have denied any allegation of wrongdoing.
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