GAO Rules White House Violated Federal Law By Withholding Ukraine Aid

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WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: President Donald Trump departs from the White House en route to Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas on August 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

A ruling by the Government Accountability Office has found that the Trump administration violated the law by withholding military aid to Ukraine. The non-partisan agency reports directly to Congress.

The Washington Post writes:

The report brings new scrutiny to a chain of events at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget last year. When top White House officials gave directives to the Pentagon to withhold aid for Ukraine, some OMB officials objected, warning the halt could be improper. At least two officials resigned, in part over concerns about the Ukraine money.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the president to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law.” Government Accountability Office Report