Bolton belatedly confirms Trump's Ukraine quid pro quo, defends not testifying in impeachment

John Bolton
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/ABC News)

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton confirmed the central charge of the House impeachment case against President Trump, telling ABC News' Martha Raddatz in an interview broadcast Sunday night that Trump "directly linked" security assistance to Ukraine "with the investigation" of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Raddatz noted that Trump's impeachment lawyers said there was no first-hand evidence for this quid pro quo, and asked why Bolton did not speak up earlier — either when asked by House Democrats to testify or despite Senate Republicans refusing to compel his testimony in Trump's trial. Bolton said his testimony wouldn't have changed any Republican votes, argued that speaking up now is more damaging to Trump, and elaborated on his claim in his forthcoming book that Democrats impeached Trump incorrectly.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.