CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As House Democrats continue their impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., says Trump did nothing wrong asking Ukraine’s leader to investigate activities by former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.
“Yeah, I thought that was appropriate to ask that, to bring that up,” Mooney said last week on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Trump’s conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July touched on multiple issues, but the mentioning of Biden’s family has raised concerns about the president using his official position to get information on a possible opponent in next year’s presidential election.
Trump later asked Ukraine and China to investigate the Biden family.
Mooney said these conversations happen “all the time” as part of foreign policy.
“I don’t think it’s inappropriate to ask that. It kind of depends on a lot of other circumstances around that,” he said. “Obviously, you shouldn’t be interfering in an election. Nobody’s for that, but that’s why it depends on the circumstances.”
Money added it is important for governments to address corruption.
“Everywhere I go in West Virginia, people say, ‘Why do you send all this money to different places, and what about the problems here at home?'” he said. “If we’re going to get into a business relationship with another country or a financial relationship, then I think it is important for our government to know that the money is not being wasted or spent corruptly.”
Trump has sent multiple tweets criticizing the House inquiry, calling it a “witch hunt.” A Fox News poll released last week showed 51% of respondents believe the president should be impeached and removed from office, and 66% of respondents said it was not appropriate for the president to ask foreign leaders to investigate allegations against political rivals.