Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's tour of an artillery shell plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania—President Joe Biden's hometown—last year during the US presidential campaign resulted in a diplomatic standoff in the Oval Office.
US Vice President J.D. Vance, who was critical of Zelensky, accused him on Friday of meddling in the election and being partisan against President Donald Trump.
"You traveled to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the Opposition in October," Vance claimed, leaning forward with arms outstretched.
But Zelensky's trip actually occurred in September, not October. The state was a battleground state that then-Vice President Kamala Harris considered essential to beating Trump.
Republicans quickly protested, claiming the visit essentially constituted campaign support for Harris.
When Zelensky started to react, saying, "You believe that, if you will, talk very loudly about the war.," Trump cut in and said, "He is not talking very loudly. Your country is in serious trouble."
After his tour of the factory, Zelensky posted a message on X, saying, "It is in such locations where you are able to truly feel that the democratic world is able to dominate."
He went on, "Thanks to individuals like these—in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner nations—who work around the clock to make sure that life is defended."
The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, which Zelensky visited, manufactures 155 mm howitzer shells, which are finished at another plant in Iowa. The shells are essential to Ukraine's defense, so the US boosted production by 50% and invested $400 million in upgrading the plant.
US House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer initiated an investigation to find out if the visit was foreign interference in the election.
In a letter to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, Comer wrote, "The Committee seeks to determine whether the Biden-Harris Administration attempted to use a foreign leader to benefit Vice-President Harris' presidential campaign and, if so, necessarily committed an abuse of power." But the investigation did not go any further.
Republican Senator Eric Schmitt also blamed Zelensky for "openly campaigning for Democrats in battleground Pennsylvania."
Contributing to the image of political partisanship, Zelensky was joined by former Democratic Senator Bob Casey, who lost his re-election contest to Republican Dave McCormick.
Zelensky subsequently went to Washington, where he met with Biden and Harris.
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