The White House earlier this year authorized a politically appointed official to withhold military aid meant for Ukraine after budget staff members questioned the legality of delaying the congressionally approved funds, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
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According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the president does have the power to withhold foreign aid under certain conditions, including if there has been a significant change in the circumstances warranting the aid.
However, in this instance, the Journal reported, career officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) became apprehensive that they didn’t have the legal authority to hold up the funds.
The withholding of aid was originally carried out by career OMB officials, but eventually Michael Duffey, associate director of national security programs in OMB, was given the authority to continue holding the funds after staffers made their concerns over the legality of the matter known, the Journal reported.
Duffey was previously a high-ranking Pentagon official and the executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party.
Former OMB officials told the Journal that it’s highly unusual for a political officer like him to gain such power.
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Trump White House authorized official to withhold Ukraine aid after other officials questioned legality of delaying funds: report https://t.co/iLVIhOoUnW pic.twitter.com/xRxsl0htPm
— The Hill (@thehill) October 10, 2019
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