WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government's watchdog agency said Thursday a White House office violated federal law in withholding security assistance to Ukraine.
The Government Accountability Office said in a report that the Office of Management and Budget violated the law in holding up the aid. The freeze is at the center of the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
The independent agency, which reports to Congress, said OMB violated the Impoundment Control Act in delaying the security assistance Congress authorized for Ukraine for “policy reasons,” rather than technical budgetary needs.
“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” wrote the agency's general counsel, Thomas Armstrong, in the report.
OMB has argued the hold was appropriate and necessary.
“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," said OMB spokeswoman Rachel Semmel.
Trump was impeached last month on charges of abusing his power for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rivals, as he was withholding the aid, and for obstructing Congress' ensuing probe. The Senate is set to begin its trial on Thursday.
The administration confirmed Wednesday that it would raise the proposed tax rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent, further escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
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The chief prosecutor of Jersey City, Jake Hudnut, stopped prosecuting pot possession cases and said a proposed bill legalizing recreational marijuana could mean "conceivably there will never be another person prosecuted in New Jersey for simple marijuana possession."
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia is leading the charge against big tech, but he may not accomplish much unless Democrats make major gains in midterm elections, according to Axios reporter David McCabe.
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During a 'Fox And Friends' appearance Monday, President Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said he's not certain collusion is a crime. Republican strategist Rick Wilson notes on Cheddar that Giuliani's latest comments imply the Trump administration has something to hide.
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'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' producers sit down with Cheddar anchors on Friday to discuss a new book from the shows writers which compiles stats and information on President Trump's Tweets. Here are some of the President's most (in)famous tweets.
Producers for 'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' sit down with Cheddar anchors on Friday to discuss a new book conceived by the show's writers, which compiles stats and information on President Trump's tweets.
The economy grew by 4.1 percent in the second quarter, according to the latest GDP data. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) explains on Cheddar how the growth will shape midterm elections and what he thinks of the current job market.
