Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Trump Threatened Former U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine During Phone Call, Transcript Reveals

Trump Threatened Former U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine During Phone Call, Transcript Reveals
National Archives; Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

When news spread of a whistleblower report about a phone call between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Ukraine, Trump and his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani tried to deflect.

As it became clear that Congress would not be letting the latest Trump transgression slide, the President ordered the call transcript released.


Any hopes Trump and Giuliani had of the transcript exonerating the POTUS were quickly dashed by public reaction to the conversation revealed by the written account.

One of the revelations was confirmation that President Trump targeted a United States citizen serving as Ambassador to the Ukraine. Trump had Ambassador Marie "Masha" Yovanovitch removed from her position.

At the time, Democratic House Majority Leader Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Eliot Engel of New York sounded the alarm.

In a joint statement they said:

"It's clear that this decision was politically motivated, as allies of President Trump had joined foreign actors in lobbying for the ambassador's dismissal. By recalling Ambassador Yovanovitch just mere months before her tenure in Ukraine was set to end, the Administration is harming American interests and undermining American diplomacy."

Now that their concerns are confirmed, a former State Department official now at the Brookings Institution, Tamara Cofman Wittes, told The Huffington Post:

"What's horrifying is Trump's implication that, having recalled Ambassador Yovanovitch from post, he also intended to impose some kind of consequences on her for his displeasure at her failure to push his personal―not policy―agenda."
"It's absolutely chilling to our diplomats serving around the world, a message that their careers are on the line if they don't go along with abusive, unethical or illegal demands from this administration."

As well as confirming Trump targeted Yovanovitch for not putting his wants and needs before the interests of the United States, the transcript included the news that Trump still harbors animosity toward the former ambassador.

In the transcript, Trump tells President Zelensky:

"The former ambassador from the United States, the woman, was bad news and the people she was dealing with in the Ukraine were bad news so I just want to let you know that."

After Zelensky concurred with the POTUS, Trump added:

"Well, she' s going to go through some things."

Yovanovitch is a career member of the senior foreign service and still works at the State Department.

Before becoming the ambassador to the Ukraine, Yovanovitch served under President George W. Bush as ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, then she was again appointed by Bush as ambassador to Armenia.

Retired US Ambassador Nicholas Burns told CNN:

"It is so unprofessional of the President to do that—to throw a US government employee under the bus, someone as distinguished as Ambassador Yovanovitch is."

Burns added:

"It's injurious to morale and you can imagine how career people feel when they see one of the best people that we have, Masha Yovanovitch, treated like this."

Others who worked with Yovanovitch sang her praises.

According to retired US Ambassador James Melville:

"Masha (Yovanovitch) knows that part of the world so well, speaks the languages, knows the issues cold. They couldn't have had a better ambassador than Masha."

Burns concurred, calling Yovanovitch "extremely effective," "highly ethical" and "a person of high character."

It is perhaps those traits that put her on the wrong side of Trump.

As for the State Department, Burns said:

"The higher levels of the State Department [need to] come out and defend her. They should say she was a good ambassador, she did what was asked. She did what her constitutional duty asked her to do, represent the United States ably and honorably."

Burns added:

"She deserves an apology, a public apology."

An apology is unlikely from President Trump. As for Yovanovitch's credibility and credentials, Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that ability to do the job properly and in adherence with the Constitution takes a back seat to loyalty to Trump.

It looks a lot like Yovanovitch flunked the Trump over country loyalty test.

Think this is all a step too far? This shirt is available here.

Amazon

*****

Listen to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!' where we explore the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.

Be sure to subscribe here and never miss an episode.

More from Trending

Teachers Share The Questions Students Asked In Class That Broke Their Hearts

Being a teacher is a calling.

It is not for the meek or weak of heart.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Emily Compagno
Fox News

Fox Host Slams Dem For Dropping An F-Bomb After Praising Trump For The Same Thing Just Minutes Earlier

Fox News host Emily Compagno was criticized after she praised Donald Trump's use of the "f-bomb" earlier this week before condemning Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett's use of the same word—on the same episode of her show, no less.

Trump made headlines this week after admonishing Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire agreement he'd announced on Truth Social. Although he claimed the ceasefire had been "agreed upon," Iran fired at least six missile barrages at Israel after it was supposed to take effect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ken Jennings; Emily Croke
@Jeopardy/Instagram

Champ's Wild Final Jeopardy Connection

In a dramatic conclusion on last Monday’s Jeopardy!, a contestant revealed a surprising relationship to the final clue's answer. Hailing from Denver, Emily Croke made it to the final write-in portion of the game show with $12,200 in earnings.

In the category of “Collections,” host Ken Jennings read the clue:

Keep ReadingShow less
State Department logo illustration
Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

State Department Slammed After Requiring Visa Applicants To Make All Social Media Posts Public For Vetting

The State Department is facing harsh criticism after it announced that anyone applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa will need to disclose all social media profiles from the last five years, requiring that all applicants set their posts to public so they can be properly vetted by its agents.

The agency said the new rules are part of a new screening process aimed at identifying individuals who may pose a threat to U.S. national security. According to the department, failure to comply could result in a denial, and consular officers have been instructed to flag signs of “hostility” toward the U.S.—though the criteria for such determinations remain vague.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Tiny Chef Show being canceled
@thetinychefshow/TikTok

Heartbreaking Animated Video Announcing Emmy-Winning Show's Cancellation Has The Internet Sobbing

Whether or not you've heard of the show, Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show has been turning heads. Not only is it a show that children love, but it's an Emmy Award winner.

Despite all of this adorable, pea-sized chef's success, and a Minion-like voice to boot, the show appears to be canceled.

Keep ReadingShow less