GAO rules Trump broke the law

[berg80]

A ruling from a government agency..........which would have been celebrated by Trumpette's had it gone the other way.........displays the importance of Trump having laid the groundwork for the Trumpette response. Anything like this gets labeled as coming from the non-existent "Deep State." Just as factual revelations of Trump's incompetence and corruption get dismissed as coming from the "fake news" media.

The construct he has created is very clever in its deceit. It allows any and all criticism of Trump to be neatly set aside as having no credibility..............when the opposite is true.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

The President has full constitutional authority to delay or cease aid in a case of suspected corruption on the part of the receiving government.

 

[Biff_Poindexter]

So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

He didn't , read your own fucking article, it clearly states that the GAO concluded that the OMB violated the ICA, not Trump.

Does that mean the ATF broke the law with regards to that Fast N Furious scandal yall were so passionate about?? -- and not Obama??

What the does that have to do with the topic of this thread? and what evidence do you have that I was "passionate" about Fast N Furious? Hate to break it to you but I despise the Republicans just as much as I despise you Democrat dingbats so I didn't give a fuck about "Fast N Furious", it was just another media spun, shiny bauble for you partisan pinheads to bicker over.

And does that also mean the IRS broke the law with regards to that other scandal yall were so sure would be the downfall of Obama??

Again with the "yall" bullshit....

Newsflash; two wrongs only make a right in the bizarre fantasy world that you hyper-partisan lemmings live in.

My post was pursuant to pointing out that the OP outright lied in it's thread title ; which is par for the course for most of the partisans hereabouts.

So when the GAO makes a decision about an act the president committed as being illegal -- its the office he used to commit this act who is to blame??

cool....keep that same energy when a democrat is president...

 

[berg80]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

The President has full constitutional authority to delay or cease aid in a case of suspected corruption on the part of the receiving government.

You say that as if it were true. He can only delay aid after explaining the reasons to Congress.

 

[berg80]

So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

He didn't , read your own fucking article, it clearly states that the GAO concluded that the OMB violated the ICA, not Trump.

Does that mean the ATF broke the law with regards to that Fast N Furious scandal yall were so passionate about?? -- and not Obama??

What the does that have to do with the topic of this thread? and what evidence do you have that I was "passionate" about Fast N Furious? Hate to break it to you but I despise the Republicans just as much as I despise you Democrat dingbats so I didn't give a fuck about "Fast N Furious", it was just another media spun, shiny bauble for you partisan pinheads to bicker over.

And does that also mean the IRS broke the law with regards to that other scandal yall were so sure would be the downfall of Obama??

Again with the "yall" bullshit....

Newsflash; two wrongs only make a right in the bizarre fantasy world that you hyper-partisan lemmings live in.

My post was pursuant to pointing out that the OP outright lied in it's thread title ; which is par for the course for most of the partisans hereabouts.

So when the GAO makes a decision about an act the president committed as being illegal -- its the office he used to commit this act who is to blame??

cool....keep that same energy when a democrat is president...

No, not since we know OMB delayed the aid at Trump's direction.

 

[berg80]

Exclusive: Unredacted Ukraine Documents Reveal Extent of Pentagon’s Legal Concerns
Exclusive: Unredacted Ukraine Documents Reveal Extent of Pentagon’s Legal Concerns

 

[BluesLegend]

So Biden broke the law threatening to withhold $1 billion in aid unless Ukraine fired a prosecutor, giving them 6 hours to meet his demands, good to know.

 

[easyt65]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

It is the GAO's OPINION that the President broke the law.....In you rush to post 'damning evidence' (which opinions are NOT) against the President you (intentionally?) left out the fact that The Office of Management and Budget has declared that it completely DISAGREES with the GAO's OPINION.

"The OMB made clear Thursday, however, that it disagreed with the GAO report.

“We disagree with GAO's opinion," OMB spokesperson Rachel Semmel said. "OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President's priorities and with the law."

Further, a senior administration official said to Fox News that they believed the OMB was trying to insert itself into impeachment at a time when media attention on the matter is high.

"GAO’s findings are a pretty clear overreach as they attempt to insert themselves into the media’s controversy of the day. Further, GAO has a history of the flip-flops, reversing 40-years of precedent this year on their pocket rescission decision, they were also forced to reverse a legally faulty opinion when they opposed the reimbursement of federal employee travel costs. In their rush to insert themselves in the impeachment narrative, maybe they’ll have to reverse their opinion again.”

'He said - She said'....and the GAO has a history of rushing to pass opinion off as fact, resulting in forced past reversals of opinion.

FAIL!



GAO says Trump administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid

 

[martybegan]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

Since when does the GAO offer anything but accounting figures and tabulations of values?

 

[easyt65]

Let the Trumper rationalizations begin!

No rationalization needed when you have FACT.

The OMB made clear Thursday, however, that it disagreed with the GAO report. “We disagree with GAO's opinion," OMB spokesperson Rachel Semmel said. "OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President's priorities and with the law."

Back to YOU for your rationalizations and spin.....

 

[berg80]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

Since when does the GAO offer anything but accounting figures and tabulations of values?

Let the Trumper rationalizations begin!

 

[berg80]

So Biden broke the law threatening to withhold $1 billion in aid

That's a lie not supported by the facts.

 

[colfax_m]

So being president is now illegal?....its up to the commander and chief to determine if our tax dollars we send to other nations will be used in a non corrupt fashion....OMB?...don't make us laugh...no one votes for the OMB....

Where does the constitution say that?

It says to defend and protect the constitution of the United States not of the Ukraine....defending the constitution involves defending American prosperity and her standing in the world....sending our hard earned tax dollars to a corrupted hell hole is not defending our nation...he would be advocating his duties to do so...like Obama did...Obama didn't care what the Ukraine did with our money....I do Trump does and so should you....

Let's say you're right.

Since he did send money to Ukraine, shouldn't we impeach him for failing to defend the constitution as you said?

 

[martybegan]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

Since when does the GAO offer anything but accounting figures and tabulations of values?

Let the Trumper rationalizations begin!

OMB calls the GAO account bullshit.

But your trundle it out in your TDS delusion.

 

[colfax_m]

Gov’t Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze
Gov't Watchdog Office: OMB Broke Law With Trump-Ordered Ukraine Aid Freeze

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog agency that advises Congress, concluded Thursday that the hold President Trump ordered his Office of Management and Budget to place on Ukraine military assistance violated the law.

“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” a GAO opinion said. “OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.”

The opinion outlined the reasons holds can be legally placed on congressionally authorized funding, and said the rational given for freezing the Ukraine aid did not fit within those reasons.

“The burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch. Here, OMB has failed to meet this burden. We conclude that OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for a policy reason,” the GAO said.
....................................................................................................................
So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

The President has full constitutional authority to delay or cease aid in a case of suspected corruption on the part of the receiving government.

Where does the constitution say that?

 

[NightFox]

So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

He didn't , read your own fucking article, it clearly states that the GAO concluded that the OMB violated the ICA, not Trump.

Does that mean the ATF broke the law with regards to that Fast N Furious scandal yall were so passionate about?? -- and not Obama??

What the does that have to do with the topic of this thread? and what evidence do you have that I was "passionate" about Fast N Furious? Hate to break it to you but I despise the Republicans just as much as I despise you Democrat dingbats so I didn't give a fuck about "Fast N Furious", it was just another media spun, shiny bauble for you partisan pinheads to bicker over.

And does that also mean the IRS broke the law with regards to that other scandal yall were so sure would be the downfall of Obama??

Again with the "yall" bullshit....

Newsflash; two wrongs only make a right in the bizarre fantasy world that you hyper-partisan lemmings live in.

My post was pursuant to pointing out that the OP outright lied in it's thread title ; which is par for the course for most of the partisans hereabouts.

So when the GAO makes a decision about an act the president committed as being illegal -- its the office he used to commit this act who is to blame??

Obviously you cannot read, the GAO didn't make a decision about "an act the president committed as being illegal", they made a decision that what the OMB did was illegal.

cool....keep that same energy when a democrat is president...

Again your reading problems surface, It makes NO difference to me whether it's a Democrat or a Republican in the Oval Office since I don't live in the same partisan reality distortion field that you do.

 

[martybegan]

So much for the Trumper assertion Trump broke no laws.

He didn't , read your own fucking article, it clearly states that the GAO concluded that the OMB violated the ICA, not Trump.

Does that mean the ATF broke the law with regards to that Fast N Furious scandal yall were so passionate about?? -- and not Obama??

What the does that have to do with the topic of this thread? and what evidence do you have that I was "passionate" about Fast N Furious? Hate to break it to you but I despise the Republicans just as much as I despise you Democrat dingbats so I didn't give a fuck about "Fast N Furious", it was just another media spun, shiny bauble for you partisan pinheads to bicker over.

And does that also mean the IRS broke the law with regards to that other scandal yall were so sure would be the downfall of Obama??

Again with the "yall" bullshit....

Newsflash; two wrongs only make a right in the bizarre fantasy world that you hyper-partisan lemmings live in.

My post was pursuant to pointing out that the OP outright lied in it's thread title ; which is par for the course for most of the partisans hereabouts.

So when the GAO makes a decision about an act the president committed as being illegal -- its the office he used to commit this act who is to blame??

Obviously you cannot read, the GAO didn't make a decision about "an act the president committed as being illegal", they made a decision that what the OMB did was illegal.

cool....keep that same energy when a democrat is president...

Again your reading problems surface, It makes NO difference to me whether it's a Democrat or a Republican in the Oval Office since I don't live in the same partisan reality distortion field that you do.

and the OMB has said the GAO is full of it.

 

[Camp]

A major defense point made by the Trump echo chamber has been to claim no codified law was broken. That defense talking point no longer has any weight or viability.

Pelosi's strategy for delaying the delivery of the impeachment articles has paid off for Democrats. It gave time for witnesses, possible defendants and their legal advisors to evaluate their options causing new evidence to be released.

 

[NightFox]

He didn't , read your own fucking article, it clearly states that the GAO concluded that the OMB violated the ICA, not Trump.

Does that mean the ATF broke the law with regards to that Fast N Furious scandal yall were so passionate about?? -- and not Obama??

What the does that have to do with the topic of this thread? and what evidence do you have that I was "passionate" about Fast N Furious? Hate to break it to you but I despise the Republicans just as much as I despise you Democrat dingbats so I didn't give a fuck about "Fast N Furious", it was just another media spun, shiny bauble for you partisan pinheads to bicker over.

And does that also mean the IRS broke the law with regards to that other scandal yall were so sure would be the downfall of Obama??

Again with the "yall" bullshit....

Newsflash; two wrongs only make a right in the bizarre fantasy world that you hyper-partisan lemmings live in.

My post was pursuant to pointing out that the OP outright lied in it's thread title ; which is par for the course for most of the partisans hereabouts.

So when the GAO makes a decision about an act the president committed as being illegal -- its the office he used to commit this act who is to blame??

Obviously you cannot read, the GAO didn't make a decision about "an act the president committed as being illegal", they made a decision that what the OMB did was illegal.

cool....keep that same energy when a democrat is president...

Again your reading problems surface, It makes NO difference to me whether it's a Democrat or a Republican in the Oval Office since I don't live in the same partisan reality distortion field that you do.

and the OMB has said the GAO is full of it.

That's their prerogative; it's not like the GAO's opinion is legally binding or anything.

Let's see what the Judicial Branch says about this matter, that is if this question ever makes it to a court of law (doubtful).

 

[martybegan]

A major defense point made by the Trump echo chamber has been to claim no codified law was broken. That defense talking point no longer has any weight or viability.

Pelosi's strategy for delaying the delivery of the impeachment articles has paid off for Democrats. It gave time for witnesses, possible defendants and their legal advisors to evaluate their options causing new evidence to be released.

It's an opinion by one government branch that is countered by another government branch. It has no weight legally whatsoever.

If they want to issue new evidence, they should re-issue more articles of impeachment. that should go over GREAT for them.