- Title: Pentagon official handling Ukraine and Russia testifies in impeachment inquiry
- Date: 23rd October 2019
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 23, 2019) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** INTERIOR VIEW OF LAURA COOPER ENTERING SECURITY CHECKPOINT INSIDE THE U.S. CAPITOL COOPER EXITING ELEVATOR AND ENTERING HEARING ROOM AHEAD OF HER TESTIMONY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WALKING DOWN STAIRWAY TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 6th November 2019 14:35
- Keywords: Laura Cooper Pentagon Ukraine Russia Donald Trump
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002B2BIF5Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:PART AUDIO AS INCOMING ON SOUNDBITES
A senior Pentagon official who oversees U.S. defense policy on Ukraine and Russia testified privately on Wednesday (October 23) in the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives inquiry against Republican President Donald Trump.
Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, was expected to face questions about Trump's decision this year to withhold $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine approved by Congress to help deal with Russia-backed separatists.
In testimony on Tuesday before the three House committees leading the inquiry, William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, said Trump had made the aid contingent on Ukraine publicly announcing it would conduct politically motivated investigations the president demanded.
The impeachment inquiry threatens Trump's presidency even as he seeks re-election in 2020.
As she arrived at the U.S. Capitol, Cooper did not answer questions from reporters. She apparently appeared voluntarily before the lawmakers as the Pentagon had not blocked her from testifying. The Trump administration had sought to block testimony by several other current and former officials.
Dozens of House Republicans appeared before reporters with some denouncing the impeachment process run by Democrats.
They complained that testimony was being taken privately rather than in public hearings and that the House did not hold a vote formally authorizing the investigation.
(Production: Greg Savoy, Kia Johnson) - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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