This archive report was first published on 23 December 2019.
On July 25, President Donald Trump had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which has been at the center of an impeachment inquiry in the US. Just 90 minutes after the call ended, a US budget official instructed the Pentagon to hold off on military aid to Ukraine.
The email, which was part of a series published by the Center for Public Integrity, was sent by Office of Management and Budget official Michael Duffy to Pentagon officials. In the email, Duffy wrote, "Based on guidance I have received and in light of the Administration's plan to review assistance to Ukraine... please hold off on any additional DoD obligations of these funds."
The email was time-stamped 11:04 am, an hour and 31 minutes after Trump's phone call with Zelensky ended, according to a summary of the conversation released by the White House. Duffy also asked the Pentagon officials to keep the information "closely held to those who need to know."
Trump is accused of withholding $400 million in assistance to Ukraine to push Kiev to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. Republicans have defended the move, saying it was not unusual for foreign aid to be delayed. However, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer called the emails "explosive" and said they were all the more reason why officials like Michael Duffey should testify in a Senate trial.
Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress on December 18. He faces a trial in the Senate, possibly in January.
