President Trump backed acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney after he admitted to a quid pro quo agreement over military aid that was meant for Ukraine and then backtracked on the remark hours later.
The chief of staff admitted to reporters Thursday that millions of dollars in U.S. military aid for Ukraine “was held up temporarily” for “completely legitimate” reasons. He also urged those concerned about the “quid pro quo” in exchange for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter to “get over it.”
Hours after the press conference, Mulvaney released a statement declaring there was “absolutely no quid pro quo” and accused the media of misconstruing his comments.
Trump, while taking questions from reporters on Friday afternoon, responded to Mulvaney’s comments saying, “I think he clarified it.”
President Trump on Mick Mulvaney: “I think he clarified it.” pic.twitter.com/UDkCeatPfd
— The Hill (@thehill) October 18, 2019
The conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the alleged quid pro quo conversation occurred, has prompted a House impeachment inquiry.
