Watchdog group sues State Department for Pence-Ukraine records

A watchdog group is suing the State Department for any records regarding Vice President Pence’s role in the Trump administration’s recent dealings with Ukraine.

American Oversight filed the lawsuit Thursday after the State Department allegedly failed to provide documents or respond to the group after it submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in October.

The group is requesting any briefing materials given to Pence before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw on Sept. 1, as well as any documents pertaining to Pence’s phone call with Zelensky a few weeks later.

In December, the House filed two articles of impeachment against President Trump over his dealings with Ukraine. He was acquitted by the Senate on both counts Wednesday.

“Despite the president’s nominal acquittal, it is essential that the public, Congress, and the media continue to push for transparency and accountability for those who participated in the Ukraine pressure campaign,” said Austin Evers, executive director of American Oversight, in a statement.

“Mike Pence is a primary beneficiary of the truncated Senate trial. There are stones left unturned and questions that need answering. The public has a right to know what the vice president’s role was in the Ukraine scheme,” Evers added.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

American Oversight has previously sought documents regarding Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.

Last month the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released nearly 200 documents related to discussions surrounding the withholding of military aid to Ukraine after American Oversight filed a FOIA lawsuit. The documents showed communication between White House official Michael Duffey and other OMB aides regarding the military aid to Ukraine.