President Donald Trump said in a new podcast interview with Fox News’ Geraldo Rivera that he sent his lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine on his behalf.
Asked by Rivera if he thought it was strange to send Giuliani to Ukraine or if he’s sorry that he made that move, Trump answered, “Not at all.” He added, “Here’s my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with it another way.”
The president also said that he used Giuliani because “number one, he was the best prosecutor, you know, one of the very best prosecutors, and the best mayor.” He also claimed “other presidents had them … they all had lawyers. Bill Clinton had a lawyer.”
The admission comes after Trump was acquitted in the Senate on charges stemming from the allegation that he improperly held out aid to Ukraine until they announced an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, who was long considered the front-runner in the crowded field of Democrats running against Trump in 2020.
Attorney General William Barr confirmed in a press conference this week that the Justice Department has set up a process in which they can receive information from Giuliani. Barr cautioned, “We have to be very careful with respect to any information coming from the Ukraine.”
The president has frequently defended his attorney. In October, he called him “the greatest mayor in the history of NYC.”
So now they are after the legendary “crime buster” and greatest Mayor in the history of NYC, Rudy Giuliani. He may seem a little rough around the edges sometimes, but he is also a great guy and wonderful lawyer. Such a one sided Witch Hunt going on in USA. Deep State. Shameful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2019
During the impeachment hearings, many House Democrats hoped to hear from Giuliani but he never testified before any of the committees. During a January interview, the former mayor said that he would be willing to testify before lawmakers if the White House gave him permission.
Giuliani’s indicted former associate Lev Parnas has claimed that the president knew “exactly what was going on” in Ukraine.
