....As the whistleblower notes, Giuliani and Trump wanted Ukrainian assistance not just in smearing Biden but also in bolstering Trump’s claims that the Mueller investigation of the Trump campaign’s Russia contacts—which included the Manafort case—was launched on questionable pretenses. According to the whistleblower’s complaint, Trump’s emissaries indicated to Ukraine that in order to secure a personal meeting with Trump, Zelensky would need to provide such help. Trump’s delay of military aide to Ukraine may have gotten the attention of Zelensky’s government. Then, during the July 25 call, Trump asked Zelensky for a “favor”—that Ukraine work with Attorney General Bill Barr to investigate the origins of the Mueller probe. Trump said that “a lot” of the Russia scandal “started with Ukraine,” adding, “Whatever you can do, it’s very important that you do it if that’s possible.” What’s more, Trump made this request for a “favor” immediately after Zelensky mentioned that he hoped to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States, which sure sounds like a suggestion of a quid pro quo..... P.S. A skeleton is likely to be found in the closet this time.
