Joaquin Castro: “As my colleagues have said, the evidence of the President's abuse of power and obstruction of Congress is uncontested.…”

“As my colleagues have said, the evidence of the President's abuse of power and obstruction of Congress is uncontested. But let's outline a few key events involving the nearly $400 million in military aid that was held up by President Trump and for President Trump despite congressional mandate. The summer of 2019 was a summer of shame at the White House. On July 3, the White House first blocked security assistance money for Ukraine with no explanation. On July 10, Gordon Sondland states, during a White House meeting with Ukrainian officials, that they will get a White House meeting only after announcing an investigation into President Trump's political rival. On July 18, a White House staffer announces the freeze on Ukrainian aid, per direct Presidential order. And just one day after Robert Mueller's testimony before Congress, President Trump makes a now infamous phone call with Zelensky asking him to investigate the Bidens. Then, things start to fall apart. The White House learns that a whistleblower has reported President Trump's phone call with President Zelensky in a complaint. On September 9, Congress starts to investigate the President's actions, and then the jig is up. On September 11, the aid is suddenly released without explanation-- over 2 months later. When you read the call transcript and follow the timeline I have laid out, guilty is guilty. Nothing changed during that time regarding the President's supposed concerns over corruption.…”