President Trump
Donald TrumpTrump: McConnell 'helpless' to stop Biden from packing court Romney on NRSC awarding Trump: Not 'my preference' McConnell sidesteps Trump calling him 'dumb son of a b----' MORE on Thursday publicly encouraged both China and Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenTrump: McConnell 'helpless' to stop Biden from packing court Biden, first lady send 'warmest greetings' to Muslims for Ramadan The business case for child care reform MORE and his son amid growing concerns over how Trump has used his position to pressure foreign governments to look into his political rivals.
“I would think that if they were honest about it they’d start a major investigation into the Bidens,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked what he wanted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to do about the Bidens following the July 25 call between the two leaders.
That call triggered an intelligence community whistleblower complaint and is at the heart of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into the president.
“I would say that President Zelensky, if it were me, I would recommend they start an investigation into the Bidens,” Trump said Thursday. "Because nobody doubts they weren't crooked."
The president doubled down on unsubstantiated allegations that Biden and his son Hunter Biden engaged in corrupt behavior, also urging a probe by China.
“China should start an investigation into the Bidens,” Trump said before departing for an executive order signing in Florida.
The president, whose administration is negotiating with China to resolve a trade dispute, said he had not explicitly asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to open an investigation, but that it’s “certainly something we can start thinking about.”
Following Trump's comments on Thursday, the chairwoman of the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) retweeted an earlier message from herself emphasizing that "it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election."
"Is this thing on?" FEC Chairwoman Ellen L. Weintraub asked next to a microphone emoji, implying Trump failed to hear her the first time.
Is this thing on? https://t.co/K6phZRex8k
— Ellen L Weintraub (@EllenLWeintraub) October 3, 2019
The Biden campaign issued a statement decrying Trump's remarks as "a grotesque choice of lies over truth and self over country," and likening them to his comments during the 2016 election in which he suggested Russia try and find Hillary Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonHow Democrats can defy the odds in 2022 Close the avenues of foreign meddling Pelosi planned on retiring until Trump won election: report MORE's missing emails.
Kurt VolkerGOP senators request details on Hunter Biden's travel for probe Yovanovitch retires from State Department: reports Live coverage: Senators enter second day of questions in impeachment trial MORE, is sitting down with House lawmakers on Thursday for a deposition.