Schumer urges McConnell to subpoena Trump for whistleblower complaint – Washington Examiner

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants the Senate to convene hearings and subpoena the White House regarding a whistleblower complaint about President Trump.

The New York Democrat sent a letter Monday to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging the GOP to “take immediate action,” which would probe an allegation that Trump attempted to trade security assistance to Ukraine in exchange for information that could be damaging to leading Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden.

“I write to urge that you and the Senate Republican majority take immediate action to stop President Trump from withholding an Intelligence Community whistleblower complaint that by law must be transmitted to Congress,” Schumer said in the letter to the Kentucky Republican.

Schumer called on the Senate GOP “to begin an investigation into the Administration’s handling of security assistance to Ukraine.”

Democrats in both chambers want access to a whistleblower complaint made to the intelligence community inspector general earlier this year that alleges Trump, in a July 25 phone call, made some kind of promise to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in exchange for Zelensky’s commitment to investigate a corruption charge relating to Biden and his son, Hunter.

Schumer called on McConnell to convene hearings on the matter and to subpoena the delivery of the whistleblower complaint to Congress.

Democrats believe the executive branch cannot withhold the complaint but the Trump administration is claiming executive privilege.

Schumer called on McConnell to request Trump release the transcript of the call.

[Related: ‘Grave new chapter of lawlessness’: Pelosi opens door to impeachment]