If I recall correctly, that was a Trump defense against abuse of power. He had threatened to cut military aid to Ukraine if they didn't investigate Biden? But the whistle blower foiled his plans, so there was no abuse of powers. Something like that?
Page 126 of Michael Atkinson's 2nd transcript appears to address the "threatened to cut military aid to Ukraine."
There wasn't one.
"MR. STEWART: Okay. Witness number two then, who is the
7 one you interviewed, characterized it and I thank you said
8 some thing that is key. You know, I'm going paraphrase.
but
9 you stated there 's no direct threat withholding aid, there is
10 no offer of quid pro quo. there was no direct mention of the
11 political campaign. He said you had to read between the
12 lines of this conversation. Those are your words. that was
13 -·- I believe . Is that true?
14
15
16
MR. ATKINSON: I believe those were --
MR. STEWART: Your description of his wor~s.
MR . ATKINSON: I believe those are his -- witness two' s
17 words from the memorandum. 18 MR . STEWART: Read between tne lines. Ana again, I
19 think that's very. very important here . 1 want you to know
20 that I have a transcript before me, as do you. as do all of
21 us. I have read the transcript numerous times ~
I have a
22
24
25
very, very different characterization of that. : as do many
others apparently, because the FBI, the Office , of Legal
Counsel and the DOJ interpret that very differently than this
witness didWitness 1, the person who was listening during the call, was never interviewed by Atkinson. Some guy who read between the lines was tho.