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.
Former President Donald Trump spoke out against a potential protective order that would prevent him from disclosing evidence in the 2020 election case.
Ohio voters rejected a ballot measure that would make it harder to pass constitutional amendments, including an upcoming vote on abortion.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a national monument designation for the greater Grand Canyon.
The Supreme Court is reinstating a regulation aimed at reining in the proliferation of ghost guns, firearms without serial numbers that have been turning up at crime scenes across the nation in increasing numbers.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has met donor requirements to participate in the first GOP debate.
A special election is underway in Ohio that could affect abortion access.
Thousands of Los Angeles city employees, including sanitation workers, lifeguards and traffic officers, walked off the job Tuesday for a 24-hour strike alleging unfair labor practices.
Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating interference in the 2020 presidential election.
Ohio voters have resoundingly rejected a Republican-backed measure that would have made it more difficult to pass abortion protections.
President Joe Biden will announce a national monument designation at the Grand Canyon.
