If you’re finding all the claims and counterclaims about the President’s call to his opposite number in Ukraine confusing, you’re in good company. I just read analyses of the released transcript by two Power Line regulars, attorneys both, which conclude (here, here) Trump did nothing illegal or even particularly unusual.
Basically, they conclude Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelensky to assist U.S. investigators looking into alleged corruption and wrongdoing by unnamed Americans in Ukraine.
Zelensky may have known the subject of the investigation was Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son. Nothing in the transcript reveals his awareness thereof.
Video exists of Joe Biden bragging about getting a Ukrainian prosecutor fired by Zelensky’s predecessor under threat of withholding U.S. government loan guarantees. That prosecutor was looking into questionable activities of the firm which had hired Hunter Biden on a $3 million, five year contract.
Those who write the real target of this kerfuffle is Joe Biden may turn out to be correct. Getting Biden out of the way could benefit Warren, Sanders, or even a resurgent Hillary.
