Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have issued a subpoena to Energy Secretary Rick Perry as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
The chairmen of three House committees sent the subpoena to Perry on October 10 asking him to provide documents related to a Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas conglomerate, Naftogaz, as well as his involvement in a July 25 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
The demand by the leaders of the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight committees set a deadline of October 18 for Perry, who is currently traveling in Iceland.
Trump has said Perry encouraged him to make the July 25 call, in which Trump pressed Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.
Perry said he acknowledged he told Trump to call Zelenskiy but said he suggested they discuss energy issues and did not mention the Bidens.
"I asked the president multiple times, 'Mr. President, we think it is in the United States' and in Ukraine's best interest that you and the president of Ukraine have conversations, that you discuss the options that are there,'" Perry said.
Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens by threatening to withhold approved military aid if he did not.
Trump has denied he did anything wrong. There has been no evidence presented of wrongdoing by the Bidens.
The impeachment probe has expanded to include Perry’s dealings with Naftogaz and efforts to install a friendlier management team at the company. Perry has denied wrongdoing.
Democratic Lawmakers Subpoena U.S. Energy Secretary In Ukraine Probe
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Putin Sends Signals To The West On Ukraine Ahead Of Trump's New Term
2Russia Moving Military Assets To Africa After Syria Setback
3Ukraine Hits Kazan Buildings In Latest Display Of Drone Power
4What Would The Russian Capture Of Pokrovsk Mean For The Ukraine War?
5Mystery Photos Shed Light On Romania's 1989 Revolution
6Orban Says Higher NATO Defense Targets Would Cripple The Hungarian Economy
7U.S., U.K. Say Medvedev's Comment Calling NATO Officials 'Legitimate Targets' Irresponsible
8Kyiv Hits Kursk After Massive Wave Of Deadly Russian Strikes On Ukraine
9Putin, In Annual Televised Show Of Control, Says Russia Nearing 'Primary Goal' In Ukraine War
10Russia's Runaway Food Prices
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
