Elaine McCusker nomination withdrawn, says Donald Trump

President Trump announced Monday night that he was withdrawing the appointment of Elaine McCusker, who had questioned his temporary freeze on military aid to Ukraine, for the position of controller of the Defense Department.

The White House statement gave no reason for the move, and Democrats in Congress said it was yet another retaliation against those linked to the Trump removal case.

"Elaine McCusker is another victim of the Trump administration's efforts to purge public servants who put the country before loyalty to the president," said Rhode Island Democrat and senator Jack Reed, senator. armed services. "The termination of his appointment is collateral damage by a president who vindictively purged career national security professionals caught in the investigation of the impeachment."

He said Ms. McCusker "is a dedicated public servant with decades of experience at the Department of Defense".

"Mrs. McCusker is paying the price for trying to get the administration to obey the law." Said Mr. Reed. "We know from testimonies and email leaks between her and the Office of Management and Budget that Ms. McCusker has repeatedly expressed concerns about the President's unexplained grip on security assistance to Ukraine and has sought to ; ensure that the administration complied with the law. "

He said the administration "seems to think that by withdrawing her candidacy she could avoid monitoring the illegal detention of the Department on security assistance funds in Ukraine. He is cruelly mistaken. "

He called on the Pentagon to provide unredacted emails between the office of the comptroller and the White House management and budget office on the matter.