**NEW** Whistleblower complaint about President Trump involves Ukraine (WAPO)

[hlthe2b]

Whistleblower complaint about President Trump involves Ukraine according to two people familiar with the matter

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-complaint-about-president-trump-involves-ukraine-according-to-two-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/19/07e33f0a-daf6-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html

A whistleblower complaint about President Trump made by an intelligence official centers on Ukraine, according to two people familiar with the matter, which has set off a struggle between Congress and the executive branch.

The complaint involved communications with a foreign leader and a “promise” that Trump made, which was so alarming that a U.S. intelligence official who had worked at the White House went to the inspector general of the intelligence community, two former U.S. officials said.

Two and a half weeks before the complaint was filed, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian and political newcomer who was elected in a landslide in May.

That call is already under investigation by House Democrats who are examining whether Trump and his attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani sought to manipulate the Ukrainian government into helping Trump’s reelection campaign. Lawmakers have demanded a full transcript and a list of participants on the call.

Link to tweet

[elleng]

1. 'The Democrats' investigation was launched earlier this month, before revelations

that a U.S. intelligence official, who previously worked in the White House, had lodged a complaint with the inspector general for the intelligence community. The Washington Post first reported on Wednesday that the complaint had to do with a “promise” that Trump made when communicating with a foreign leader. . .

Atkinson made clear that he disagreed with a lawyer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, who had contradicted the inspector general and found that the whistleblower complaint did not meet the statutory definition of an urgent concern because it involved a matter not under the DNI’s jurisdiction.

Atkinson told lawmakers he disagreed with the lawyer’s analysis — meaning he felt the matter was under the DNI’s purview — and also that it was urgent “in the common understanding of the word,” the person said.

Following the meeting, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) warned of possible legal action if intelligence officials did not share the whistleblower complaint.'

[hlthe2b]

2. *MORE**

In letters to the White House and State Department, top Democrats earlier this month demanded records related to what they say are Trump and Giuliani’s efforts “to coerce the Ukrainian government into pursuing two politically-motivated investigations under the guise of anti-corruption activity” — one to help Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who is in prison for illegal lobbying and financial fraud, and a second to target the son of former vice president Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump.

“As the 2020 election draws closer, President Trump and his personal attorney appear to have increased pressure on the Ukrainian government and its justice system in service of President Trump’s reelection campaign, and the White House and the State Department may be abetting this scheme,” the chairmen of the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees wrote, citing media reports that Trump had threatened to withhold $250 million in aid to help Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russian-backed separatists.

Lawmakers also became aware in August that the Trump administration may be trying to stop the aid from reaching Ukraine, according to a congressional official.

Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, dismissed the reports of the whistle blower and Trump’s “promise” to a foreign leader.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Is it possible...

that this is the story? Something we already knew and the whistleblower complaint just took time to come to the surface?

I hope not. I hope it’s much bigger than withholding aid. This MFer gets away with so much corruption and treason done out in the open that we need something truly shocking. Well, shocking to the uninformed. I don’t think we’d be shocked by anything at this point.

[hlthe2b]

13. There has been some reporting that it is multiple incidents/issues

[emmaverybo]

3. The plot sickens.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Excellent observation and so very accurate, too. n/t

[JCMach1]

4. Biden sabotage

[ritapria]

5. Trump promised Ukraine Military aid in exchange for Dirt on Joe B

If that is not an impeachable offense , what in God's Name would be ?

[uponit7771]

6. Drip ... Drip ... no wonder Moscow Mitch is giving lip service to securing the election now, he does

... not want to be associated with Red Don's cheating.

[hlthe2b]

7. Even 'Mr. Kellyanne Connely' says this, if true would warrant impeachment

Link to tweet

[Roland99]

8. Giuliani has spent a lot of time in Ukraine lately

What’s he know?

[Kingofalldems]

9. So he colluded with Russia and now the Ukraine.

Can we call him a traitor yet?

[hlthe2b]

11. If by chance anyone has forgotten the original reporting on this attempt on Biden, here's a good

background piece...

Link to tweet