Senators Move to Block Trump Nominees Until Ukraine Regains Full Starshield Access
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 23
Senators Move to Block Trump Nominees Until Ukraine Regains Full Starshield Access
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 23
Summary
Bipartisan senators told senior White House officials they plan to hold up pending Trump nominees unless Ukraine’s military satellite communications are fully restored.
Last week, Ukrainian officials reported new limits on the Starshield network used to operate battlefield drones and suspected the system had been deliberately throttled, though it remains unclear whether that happened or who ordered it.
Trump then called Elon Musk and asked him to restore Ukraine’s full access, according to people familiar with the exchange, but lawmakers are preparing to press the issue in the post-midterm lame-duck session.
The threatened blockade would deepen a widening split between Congress and the White House over Russia, with some Republicans also seeking firings and budget cuts for any officials tied to the disruption.