DeLauro, McCollum Send Letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth Demanding Information on Trump Administration’s Obstruction of Ukrainian Defenses
WASHINGTON – House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding information related to reported efforts by the Trump administration to obstruct defense assistance to Ukraine.
“We were horrified to learn of reports that officials within the Administration authorized restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Starshield satellite communications services,” the letter states. “Civilian casualties in Ukraine were 85 percent higher this September compared to last, and more than 2,500 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since January, according to the United Nations.”
“Allowing Russia to murder innocent civilians is unconscionable. Restricting the use of Starshield could be seen as militarily assisting Russia. We urge you to investigate this decision and report your findings to the congressional defense committees within the next thirty days, including: who authorized the restrictions, under what authority, the justification for the decision, and the duration and operational impact of the restrictions,” the letter continues.
The letter comes following reports from Reuters that the order to constrict Starshield services over Ukraine originated within the Trump administration, from the Washington Post that Secretary Hegseth is slow-walking approval of Patriot interceptor missile transfers to Ukraine, and from the Wall Street Journal that Elon Musk may have given the Starshield order, however that report cites conflicting accounts, highlighting the need for greater transparency into what transpired.
“Consistent and dedicated support for Ukraine’s military to protect its country and citizens should be one of the priorities for this Administration and in particular, the Department of Defense,” the letter concludes. “Allowing Russia to act with impunity will only serve to harm the United States and our allies.”
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