John Sullivan, deputy secretary of State and President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Russia, apparently doesn’t agree that it’s okay for a president to try to push foreign countries to investigate his political rivals – something Trump did during a call with the Ukrainian president in July.
During Sullivan’s confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, Democratic lawmakers grilled the nominee on Trump’s efforts to push Ukraine into investigating 2020 rival Joe Biden.
“Do you think it’s ever appropriate for the President to use his office to solicit investigations into a domestic political opponent?” asked Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the ranking member of the committee.
“Soliciting investigations into a domestic political opponent…I don’t think that would be in accord with our values,” Sullivan responded.
Trump’s call with the Ukrainian leader prompted the House’s impeachment investigation, but the President has repeated over and over that his call with the president of Ukraine was “perfect.”
Watch Sullivan below:
"Soliciting investigations into a domestic political opponent—I don't think that would be in accord with our values," U.S. Ambassador to Russia nominee John Sullivan says at confirmation hearing in response to question from Sen. Bob Menendez. https://t.co/JsAo4rT8TM pic.twitter.com/3MudGt3iY6
— ABC News (@ABC) October 30, 2019
Nomination pulled in 3, 2, 1…
“Our values.” Whose values would those be, Mr. Sullivan? Because they sure as hell aren’t the values of the orange wanna-be dictator who nominated you. But thanks for trying.
Upon hearing this news, Trump remarked “Get the hook!”
Yeah I understand he was probably trying to be a loyal R and not trash the Prez…but if I was on that committee I would follow my messaging advice for all honest people…“is persecuting or asking foreign adversaries to persecute AN AMERICAN CITIZEN within your purview” (not a political adversary)…and I would have lambasted Sullivan for saying something so vague. “Sir, the answer we were looking for here is HELL NO, that is a breach of law, a High Crime, a betrayal of the Oath Of Office, and would be grounds for immediate dismissal and prosecution for anyone from dog-catcher to The President”