Does the memorandum of President Trump's call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggest a quid pro quo? CNN's Jeffrey Toobin thinks so.
Toobin weighed in after the White House released the rough transcript of Trump's phone call with Zelensky, in which he pushes for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden. Trump has already been arguing it shows no quid pro quo took place, while some journalists have noted a quid pro quo is not explicit in the transcript.
But Toobin, CNN's legal analyst, thinks it's pretty clear, arguing Wednesday, "there is very strong evidence that there was a quid pro quo here." Toobin, in particular, points to a part of the conversation in which Zelensky brings up military aid, which Toobin notes "prompts the president to say" that he wants a favor.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When Trump first mentions wanting a favor, he's initially talking about wanting Ukraine to look into the Democratic National Committee email hack. He then brings up his requested investigation into Biden.
"He raises that at the precise moment after Zelensky raises the issue of we need money for our defense," Toobin said later on CNN. "Money, favor. Quid pro quo."
Toobin also argued that even if there wasn't a quid pro quo, it almost doesn't matter, as Trump asking for dirt on his political opponent would still be "wildly inappropriate and potentially impeachable." Brendan Morrow
-
Peter Mandelson called Epstein his 'best pal' in birthday noteSpeed Read The UK's ambassador to Washington described the late convicted paedophile as an 'intelligent, sharp-witted man'
-
'Vampire energy' could be causing your electric bill to riseUnder the Radar Wasted energy could account for up to 10% of home use
-
A Spinal Tap reunion, Thomas Pynchon by way of Paul Thomas Anderson and a harrowing Stephen King adaptation in September moviesthe week recommends This month's new releases include 'Spinal Tap II,' 'One Battle After Another' and 'The Long Walk'
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
