Ukraine, if you’re listening . . .: How Trump tries to quell controversies by saying the quiet part out loud

Washington Post logoThe Debrief: An occasional series offering a reporter’s insights

Ukraine, if you’re listening . . .

Much as he did three years ago — when he asked Russia to hack the emails of his Democratic rival — President Trump on Friday seemed to make a similar request of Ukraine, all but urging the Eastern European nation to investigate Joe Biden, his potential Democratic opponent.

“It doesn’t matter what I discussed, but I will say this — somebody ought to look into Joe Biden,” Trump said Friday in the Oval Office, swatting away questions about whether he had improperly attempted to pressure Ukraine to dig up dirt on the former vice president.

View the complete September 20 article by Ashley Parker on The Washington Post website here.