Michael Shellenberger Claims USAID, CIA Influenced Trump's Impeachment

Investigative journalist Michael Shellenberger has claimed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the CIA played a significant role in the impeachment of President Donald Trump in 2019. His findings suggest that the impeachment was fueled by a whistleblower, a CIA analyst from the Obama administration, who alleged Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son. The whistleblower's complaint relied heavily on the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which has ties to USAID and was funded by the State Department. This connection raises concerns about the legitimacy of the impeachment process, as Shellenberger argues that both USAID and the CIA have historically engaged in regime change abroad and extended these tactics to a sitting U.S. president. OCCRP's reports were cited multiple times in the whistleblower's complaint, suggesting a coordinated effort rather than independent journalism. Shellenberger's revelations challenge the narrative of the impeachment and highlight potential government overreach.