White House slaps down House Republicans for ‘political stunt’ over Ukraine

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre used her Thursday press briefing to bat down gripes from House Republicans who are accusing Zelensky of improperly interfering in the upcoming US presidential election by visiting a weapons factory where artillery shells used by his country’s armed forces are being produced. Thanks to people like these — in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries — who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.” Zelensky’s sojourn in the Keystone State — and his subsequent criticisms of former president Donald Trump and his running-mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance — led House Republicans to level charges of putting a thumb on the scales for Harris, particular since Pennsylvania is an important swing state. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer was moved to send letters to the White House, Department of Justice and Department of Defense in which he demanded “any information and communication, both internal and external, about President Zelensky’s visit to the United States,” and griped that Zelensky was granted the use of an Air Force aircraft for his travel to Pennsylvania. But White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pushed back on the GOP’s assertions by noting that the visit to the plant was arranged at the request of Zelensky’s government and no one else.