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Government Watchdog Agency Says Trump Administration Broke the Law

The Democrats got a little more fuel for their fire today after an announcement by the Government Accountability Office (GOA).

On Thursday, the GOA issued a ‘legal opinion’ stating, “Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law.

“OMB withheld funds for a policy reason … not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that the OMB violated the ICA [Impoundment Control Act].”

Dems Latch On

As soon as the news came out, Pelosi ran to the microphone to tell everyone they had more incriminating evidence to use against Trump in the Senate trial.

Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated, “The GAO opinion makes clear that the documents we requested in our letter last month are even more needed now because GAO confirmed the president broke the law.

“All Senators will get a chance to vote to obtain these documents next week.”

In the opinion of the GOA, the Trump administration did not have the authority to delay the $214 million to Ukraine simply because it did not agree with the allocation of the funding.

The report, however, is not without its own criticisms.

Trump Administration Pushes Back

As soon as the GOA opinion was issued, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its own statement.

OMB spokesperson Rachel Semmel stated, “We disagree with GAO’s opinion.

“OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President’s priorities and with the law.”

Additionally, a Trump staffer told Fox News, “GAO’s findings are a pretty clear overreach as they attempt to insert themselves into the media’s controversy of the day.

“Further, GAO has a history of the flip-flops, reversing 40-years of precedent this year on their pocket rescission decision, they were also forced to reverse a legally faulty opinion when they opposed the reimbursement of federal employee travel costs.

“In their rush to insert themselves in the impeachment narrative, maybe they’ll have to reverse their opinion again.”

The Trump administration has maintained it was withholding the money to ensure the new administration in Ukraine was not as corrupt as the past.

Point being, Trump did not want to send a check to Ukraine unless he was sure the corruption issues were being addressed.

Even so, by the letter of the law, the administration was at fault, which is going to allow Democrats to pile on even more to insist that McConnell allow witnesses during the Senate impeachment trial.

Source: Fox News

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