President Donald Trump violated the law by withholding military aid earmarked for Ukraine, according to a legal decision handed down by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
"Today, GAO issued a legal decision concluding that the Office of Management and Budget violated the law when it withheld approximately $214 million appropriated to DOD for security assistance to Ukraine," the office said in a statement Thursday. "The President has narrow, limited authority to withhold appropriations under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. OMB told GAO that it withheld the funds to ensure that they were not spent 'in
a manner that could conflict with the President's foreign policy."'"
Established in 1921, the GAO is an arm of the legislative branch that is funded by the federal government. While the office has no authoritative power, it's tasked with auditing and investigating government actions and can issue legal opinions and recommendations to Congress.
More on this as it develops.
