Malinowski: Every Witness Told Us The Order To Freeze Aid Came From Trump

Of course it came from Trump. Trump does the same for EVERY dollar going out of the country. Trump treats this like a business where every dollar spent has to be justified. In the case of Ukraine it is even more important, as the 113th Congress (2013-2014) passed H.R.4278 – Ukraine Support Act – which expressly notes the misgivings to be addressed:

> Title I: Assistance Provisions – (Sec. 101) Authorizes and encourages the President to provide assistance to support democracy … and anti-corruption efforts;

> U.S. loan guarantees for Ukraine should be used to promote anti-corruption efforts

While this is not directly linked to military aid, the “spirit” of the law (which names the office of the President explicitly) is clearly aiming to use aid only in such a away as to support anti-corruption activity. And nothing in the law excludes US politicians from this the anti-corruption mandate given directly to the U.S. President.