Elizabeth Warren joins Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in criticism of Donald Trump's June 18 call with China
WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren on Thursday called for President Donald Trump to release transcripts of phone conversations between him and President Xi of China after reports emerged that Trump raised both her and former Vice President Joe Biden's political prospects.
A phone call with Xi on June 18 was stored in the same highly-secured electronic system used to hold the phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the center of a whistleblower complaint that has led to an impeachment inquiry against Trump, CNN reported.
Earlier Thursday, Trump publicly declared that China should investigate Biden.
"By the way, likewise, China should start an investigation into the Bidens because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened with Ukraine," Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn.
Warren was reportedly mentioned in the phone call as she was beginning to gain traction in the crowded field of 2020 contenders, often emerging as a front-runner along with Biden in polling.
“Trump can say what he wants about me, but it's outrageous that any president would sell out the people of Hong Kong behind closed doors,” Warren wrote on Twitter. “The public must see the transcript of Trump's call with Xi. And we need a leader who will stand up for our values.”
Trump can say what he wants about me, but it's outrageous that any president would sell out the people of Hong Kong behind closed doors.
The public must see the transcript of Trump's call with Xi. And we need a leader who will stand up for our values.— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 3, 2019
According to CNN, "In that call, Trump also told Xi he would remain quiet on Hong Kong protests as trade talks progressed."
Biden responded on Twitter after Trump first mentioned China, accusing him of attempting to "rig the primary and pick your opponent," adding that the president "cannot extort foreign governments" in his effort to win reelection.
"It’s an abuse of power. It violates your oath of office. And it jeopardizes our national security," Biden said.
Mr. President, you cannot extort foreign governments to help you win re-election. It’s an abuse of power. It violates your oath of office. And it jeopardizes our national security. I know you want to rig the primary and pick your opponent, but I’m not going anywhere. https://t.co/LZQ8W3fmU6
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 3, 2019
The demand for the release of the transcript echoed California Sen. Kamala Harris, who called on the White House to release documents about Trump’s conversations with Xi "because we need to know what he has now said in private conversations, because we obviously know what he is saying in public.”
“Let me make something clear to Trump and his hatchet men and the special interests funding his attacks against me – I’m not going anywhere,” Biden said in Reno on Wednesday night. “You’re not going to destroy me. And you’re not going to destroy my family. I don’t care how much money you spend or how dirty the attacks get."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elizabeth Warren calls for Donald Trump-China transcripts
