President Donald Trump labeled William Taylor, the top American diplomat in Ukraine, “a Never-Trumper” even though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had recruited Taylor for the post, multiple news outlets are reporting.
Taylor has testified to House investigators that Trump had withheld military aid until Ukraine agreed to probe his political opponents, Axios noted.
After the testimony, Trump had tweeted on Wednesday: “Never Trumper Republican John Bellinger, represents Never Trumper Diplomat Bill Taylor (who I don’t know), in testimony before Congress! Do Nothing Democrats allow Republicans Zero Representation, Zero due process, and Zero Transparency.”
But Axios noted that Taylor has served every administration since 1985. The website said he was asked by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to return to serve as acting ambassador to Ukraine in May.
Washington Examiner columnist Tiana Lowe pointed out that by all accounts Pompeo “plucked the ambassador from retirement.”
And Politico maintained Trump did not offer any supporting evidence to back up his claim that Taylor harbored any anti-Trump bias.