• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Politicsimpeachment

H.R. McMaster Didn’t Witness Any Trump Quid Pro Quos With Foreign Countries

By
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 10, 2019, 4:57 PM ET
Zach Gibson-Pool/Getty Images

A former national security adviser to President Donald Trump says he never witnessed any improper solicitation of foreign leaders when he served in the administration.

Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster says he listened to most calls and meetings with foreign leaders while he served for a year as Trump’s second national security adviser. Trump fired him in March 2018 after repeated clashes.

McMaster spoke Thursday at a security forum hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Congress is conducting an impeachment inquiry based on a whistleblower’s allegation that Trump pressed the president of Ukraine to dig up dirt on a political rival as he delayed military aid to the country. Trump denies wrongdoing, and is fighting Congress over the legality of their inquiry.

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday repeated his assertion there never was a Trump quid pro quo, in which the president asked the Ukraine leader to investigate the president’s political rival Joe Biden in return for U.S. military aid.

If that occurred, McMaster says such conduct would “absolutely” be wrong and Congress should investigate to determine if it happened.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Energy Secretary Rick Perry is the latest to get impeachment inquiry subpoena
—Deutsche bank doesn’t have Trump’s tax records
—5 lessons history has taught us about impeachment
—A running list of questions on the impeachment inquiry, answered
—As U.S. steel falters, will President Trump pay a political price?
Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis

About the Author
By The Associated Press
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

Tom Homan speaks at a podium.
PoliticsImmigration
The ‘largest immigration enforcement operation ever’ in Minnesota is ending
By Steve Karnowski and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
4 hours ago
The CEO of coal producer Peabody Energy, Jim Grech, left, hands a trophy to U.S. President Donald Trump during an event on the use of coal in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The lobbyist group, the Washington Coal Club, awarded Trump the inaugural "Undisputed Champion of Coal" award. Trump also is signing an executive order directing the Defense Department to buy electricity from coal-fired power plants. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Energyclimate change
The Trump administration calls its climate change policy shift the ‘largest deregulatory action’ in history—but experts say the impact will be limited
By Jordan BlumFebruary 12, 2026
6 hours ago
Donald Trump, holding two babies in his arms, leans over to kiss on on the head.
Future of Workremote work
‘Fertility president’ Trump has demanded a baby boom, and Stanford researchers have a solution: Let more people work from home
By Sasha RogelbergFebruary 12, 2026
7 hours ago
narcos
North AmericaMexico
From ‘The Lord of the Skies’ to drones over El Paso, Mexican cartels have a long history of airborne drug fleets
By María Verza and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
8 hours ago
trump
PoliticsTariffs and trade
Trump tariffs on Canada slapped down in 219-211 bipartisan vote
By Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
9 hours ago
nato
PoliticsNATO
After Hegseth snubs NATO, Europe makes the best of it: ‘Sadly for him, he is missing a good party’
By Lorne Cook and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
9 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Crypto
Bitcoin reportedly sent to wallet associated with Nancy Guthrie’s ransom letter providing potential clue in investigation
By Carlos GarciaFebruary 11, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
America borrowed $43.5 billion a week in the first four months of the fiscal year, with debt interest on track to be over $1 trillion for 2026
By Eleanor PringleFebruary 10, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
America’s national debt borrowing binge means interest payments will rocket to $2 trillion a year by 2036, CBO says
By Eleanor PringleFebruary 11, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
‘Nothing short of self-sabotage’: Watchdog warns about national debt setting new record in just 4 years
By Tristan BoveFebruary 11, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Commentary
Something big is happening in AI — and most people will be blindsided
By Matt ShumerFebruary 11, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Some folks on Wall Street think yesterday’s U.S. jobs number is ‘implausible’ and thus due for a downward correction
By Jim EdwardsFebruary 12, 2026
11 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.