Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has said he believes the Trump administration should release the transcripts of former Vice President Joe Bidens phone calls with Ukraine amid the ongoing congressional impeachment inquiry.
During an appearance on CBSs Face the Nation, Cruz said he believes the administration did the right thing by cooperating with the probe and “wisely” releasing the transcript of President Donald Trumps July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The phone call became a subject of contention after an anonymous whistleblower alleged that the President “pressured” Ukraine to investigate his competitor and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Trump and Zelensky have denied the claims.
After Trump earlier this month called for China to investigate Biden and his son, Cruz told host Margaret Brennan he now urges the same be done with Bidens phone call transcripts so the public can make up their own minds.
He explained that it could be a good move for Biden, as by releasing the presidents phone records, the administration has been able to show that “a lot” of allegations raised by House Democrats “was not in fact backed up by the transcript.”
Cruz suggested that Joe Biden face the same rules followed by House Democrats who are investigating whether Trump abused his power by asking Zelensky investigate Biden and Hunter. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, saying that his request for Ukraines assistance to look into Bidens dealings was intended to investigate alleged corruption, not to look for information on a political opponent.
Trump said on Oct. 3 that China, along with Ukraine, should probe what Joe Biden and his son did in the past.
“I think actually the administration should do the exact same thing for Joe Biden,” Cruz said. “That it should release the transcripts of Joe Bidens conversations with Ukraine.
“Use the same standard for President Trump and Joe Biden and let the American people read the transcripts and decide.”
Trump Calls for Investigation into the Bidens
When asked whether Ukraine should probe the Bidens, Trump said: “I would think if they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens. Its a very simple answer. They should investigate the Bidens.
“And by the way, China should start an investigation into the Bidens. Because what happened with China is just about as bad as what happened with Ukraine.”
“Im sure that President Xi does not like being under that kind of scrutiny where billions of dollars is taken out of his country by a guy that just got kicked out of the Navy. He got kicked out of the Navy, all of a sudden hes getting billions of dollars.
“You know what they call that? They call that a payoff,” Trump said.
While he was still vice president, Joe Biden had Hunter Biden accompany him on an official trip to China in 2013. Months earlier, Hunter Biden joined the board of a Chinese investment fund, BHR Partners, which he was still involved with as of June.
During the trip, Hunter Biden helped set up a meeting between a Chinese tycoon, who was also his business partner, and his father.
Biden was an unpaid board member at the time and took an equity stake after his father left the White House.
Lawmakers identified Hunter Biden as having a potential conflict of interest during a congressionRead More – Source
