U.S. watchdog says Trump administration violated law by withholding Ukraine aid

The Trump administration violated federal law last year by withholding security aid for Ukraine that had been appropriated by Congress, a U.S. congressional watchdog said in a report released on Thursday.

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“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA),” the U.S. Government Accountability Office said, referring to the Office of Management and Budget.

“The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

Source: reuters.com