It's looking like the Democrats' narrative of President Trump's handling of foreign aid to Ukraine is the exact opposite of what actually happened.
Former National Security Council official Tim Morrison was deposed in a closed-door session in the House on Saturday. Morrison listened in on Trump's July 25 phone call to Ukraine President Zelenksy from the White House Situation Room.
"I was not concerned that anything illegal was discussed," Morrisson told lawmakers.
Democrats made a big deal about Morrisson's "concern" over the transcript of the call being leaked. But Morrisson said his concerns about the transcript being leaked revolved around the impact the transcript might have on support for foreign aid to Ukraine, as well as how the transcript would play out in Washington's polarized political climate. So Morrison predicted the Democrats would make a nothingburger out of it.
Trump released the memcon of his July 25 phone call back in September. "To the best of my recollection," Morrison told lawmakers, "the Memcon accurately and completely reflects the substance of the call."
Morrison also said that President Trump dislikes the idea of foreign aid in general and thought Ukraine had a corruption problem. "I was also aware that the president believed that Europe did not contribute enough assistance to Ukraine," Morrison stated.
So it sounds like Trump had a variety of concerns that might justify withholding foreign aid to Ukraine.
In his opening remarks, Morrison announced he would be resigning his position at the National Security Council. When asked if his departure had anything to do with the ongoing investigation, Morrison said that it was simply time for a change in his career.
"I am proud of what I have been able in some small way to help the Trump administration to accomplish."
Morrison testified that:
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 16, 2019
-The transcript of the call is accurate
-He was concerned about leaks
-There was absolutely nothing improper or illegal on the call pic.twitter.com/13dpLfZMv4
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