House Democrats on Monday subpoenaed the heads of the Defense Department and Office of Management and Budget for documents related to the Trump administration's decision to withhold financial aid to Ukraine while the president pushed the allied nation for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenBiden has decided on Supreme Court nominee: reports Japan, Australia, New Zealand impose penalties on Russia following invasion into Ukraine Psaki on Cruz 'Peanuts' character comparison: 'Don't tell him I like Peppermint Patty' MORE and his son, Hunter.
In letters to Defense Secretary Mark Esper
Mark EsperOvernight Defense & National Security — One bomber to blame for Kabul airport attack Esper drops suit against Pentagon over memoir dispute The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden to update Americans on omicron; Congress back MORE and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) acting director Russell Vought, the three committee chairmen leading the House's impeachment inquiry asked for the documents to be provided by Oct. 15.
“The enclosed subpoena demands documents that are necessary for the committees to examine this sequence of these events and the reasons behind the White House’s decision to withhold critical military assistance to Ukraine that was appropriated by Congress to counter Russian aggression,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff
Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff: Russian invasion should be 'final death' of Nord Stream 2 Pelosi warns Putin of more sanctions to come Schiff calls for FBI probe into potential for misuse of rape kits MORE (D-Calif.), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel
Eliot Lance EngelLawmakers pay tribute to Colin Powell NYC snafu the latest flub from a broken elections agency Cynthia Nixon backs primary challenger to Rep. Carolyn Maloney MORE (D-N.Y.) and Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings
Elijah Eugene CummingsThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by National Industries for the Blind - Manchin says no; White House fires back House Democrats find drug companies 'unjustified' in price hikes Your must-read holiday book list from members of Congress MORE (D-Md.) wrote.
Congress had appropriated $250 million to the Defense Department for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. But according to reports, President Trump
Donald TrumpOvernight Health Care — Judge deals setback for surprise billing rules Sidney Powell must comply with nonmonetary sanctions, court rules Scott's agenda spurs backlash from Democrats, GOP alike MORE asked Mick Mulvaney
Mick MulvaneyThe Hill's Morning Report - Russia aggression triggers US, EU sanctions Former Trump chief of staff endorses Nancy Mace These people have been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 panel MORE, currently the acting White House chief of staff, to put a hold on the Ukraine aid in July 2019.
Trump held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25 in which he urged an investigation into the Bidens and said he would instruct his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani
Rudy GiulianiJudge in Trump conspiracy case links Jan. 6 to history of racist violence 'What-aboutism' — Ruling against Trump leaves more questions than answers on free speech Judge rules Trump must face civil suits over Jan. 6 MORE, and Attorney General William Barr
Bill BarrWilliam Barr grants first TV interview since leaving Trump administration Hillary Clinton on Durham report: 'Trump & Fox are desperately spinning up a fake scandal' 36 percent in Texas poll think Biden didn't win election legitimately MORE to follow up with the Ukrainian government.
The White House eventually released its hold on the aid around the date of Sept. 11, following multiple inquiries from members of Congress about why the aid was delayed.
The committee chairmen are demanding that Esper hand over documents related to Trump's phone calls with the Ukrainian president and efforts by any current or former Trump administration officials to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate the Bidens.
They are also seeking documents from both Esper and Vought on the delay of foreign assistance to Ukraine, including communications with people in the White House and other agencies, as well as the decision in September announcing that the aid would go forward. In addition, the committee chairmen are asking for documents related to communications with Congress about the status of the foreign aid, such as briefings and written notifications.
The House committee chairmen have issued three other subpoenas as part of the impeachment inquiry launched two weeks ago.
They have subpoenaed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoFive things to watch at CPAC The Hill's Campaign Report: CPAC is back Overnight Defense & National Security — Putin recognizes rebel regions' independence MORE, Giuliani and Mulvaney for documents related to Trump's conversations with Zelensky and the efforts to hold up the financial aid for Ukraine.
The committees also sent a letter on Friday to Vice President Pence asking for documents related to his role in Trump's efforts to press for an investigation into the Bidens, but the request was not a subpoena.
The chairmen reiterated a threat to other subpoena recipients in recent days that failing to comply with their demands would be used as evidence of obstruction in potentially writing articles of impeachment.
"Your failure or refusal to comply with the subpoena, including at the direction or behest of the president or the White House, shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House's impeachment inquiry and may be used as an adverse inference against you and the president," they wrote in the letters to Esper and Vought.
The three House committees are also conducting depositions this week with two State Department officials. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland is scheduled to appear on Tuesday, while former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is set to speak with lawmakers on Friday.
Updated at 1 p.m.
