Brenda Lawrence: Trump Used the Security of the U.S. as a ‘Bargaining Chip for His Own Personal Gain’

EXCERPT:

LAWRENCE: “We have requested information. We are now issuing subpoenas. This is one of the greatest challenges in all of this impeachment process, is that we are required and given the power as Congress to have oversight on all of the government agencies, including the executive branch. And we have seen this Administration, led by this President, just thumb his nose up. You know, Giuliani, we’ve asked for all of his records. We've subpoenaed and asked for the records from the Vice President. And, you know, I hear from both sides. I’ve had town hall meetings, and some people will say, well, you know, you just keep going after him, nothing sticks. He doesn’t comply, and he just — it’s as if he’s untouchable. We are so focused and serious about this investigation, because this — the documents and the information that we have shows that he used the security and the international relationships that we are required to have for the security of our country as a bargaining chip for his own personal gain. That is not acceptable. So the subpoenas will continue to go out, and, you know, we’re going to have to engage the courts. I sit on Oversight. We have taken the failure to appear and comply to the courts.”