Nancy Pelosi says Donald Trump is 'not above the law' after he snubs Ukraine probe

Donald Trump, who faces an impeachment inquiry, has denied any wrongdoing
AP
Michael Howie9 October 2019

Nancy Pelosi has blasted Donald Trump’s refusal to co-operate with an impeachment inquiry over his dealings with Ukraine, saying he is “not above the law” and will be “held accountable”.

The leading Democrat and House Speaker hit back after White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote to her yesterday declaring the probe amounted to an illegal attempt to overturn the 2016 election — and announced the Trump administration would ignore Congressional subpoenas.

In the letter to Ms Pelosi and other senior Democrats, Mr Cipollone said the White House would refuse to co-operate with what it called an “illegitimate” and “unconstitutional” impeachment inquiry. “The effort to impeach President Trump … is a naked political strategy,” the letter added.

In her response, Ms Pelosi said: “Mr President, you are not above the law. You will be held accountable.” She did not indicate what steps, if any, Democrats might take to compel Mr Trump’s co-operation.

The investigation is focused on whether Mr Trump used more than £300 million of military aid as leverage to pressure the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to launch an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden, who is bidding to unseat Mr Trump in next year’s election.

Nancy Pelosi say Donald Trump is not 'above the law'
AFP/Getty Images

Mr Trump has denied wrongdoing, tweeting that the probe was: “The Greatest Witch Hunt in the history of the USA!” The showdown between Mr Trump and Ms Pelosi heightened as an opinion poll showed Democratic support rising for impeachment.

The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives prepared to step up its investigation as three congressional committees leading the inquiry worked on arrangements to interview a US intelligence officer who filed the complaint that triggered the probe.

It comes after the State Department blocked the US ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, from speaking to the committees. Mr Sondland is seen as a key witness who could shed light on whether Mr Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine to pressure it to investigate Mr Biden and his son Hunter, who had business dealings in Ukraine. Mr Trump has alleged corruption by the Bidens, without providing any evidence.

Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he would have no choice but to initiate a Senate trial on whether to convict Mr Trump of any formal charges lodged by the House.

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