Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Official: Pentagon has started 'prudent planning' for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May MORE said Saturday that his aim is “to keep the department apolitical” amid a swirling scandal surrounding the Trump administration’s dealings with Ukraine.

When asked if he knew anything about reports that President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE threatened to withhold nearly $400 million in military aid from Ukraine as he urged the country to probe former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE, Esper said the department’s focus is “what is the military value in terms of ... assisting a country like Ukraine” and whether U.S. allies are assisting the country.

The increased scrutiny of Trump’s dealings with Ukraine comes as House Democrats have launched an impeachment inquiry into the president. Democrats argue there is ample evidence to remove Trump from office, while staunch GOP allies insist his record is clean.

“As I’ve said before, it’s a political matter,” Esper said. “I’m not going to add any fuel to the fire. ... Congress is looking into this obviously, an inquiry’s underway and we’ll deal with this, and answer all these questions in due course. But right now I’m trying to keep [the department] out of this issue.”

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Regarding U.S. aid to Ukraine, he added, "Most of that security assistance is — got out by the end of the year, and in no time ... did I feel it had an impact on national security, U.S. national security."

At the center of the Trump impeachment inquiry is a July 25 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom the U.S. president urged to investigate Biden and his son. While Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE has confirmed he was on the call, no Defense Department officials listened in on the phone conversation.

Several top officials in the Trump administration, including Pompeo, Vice President Pence and Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE, have been subpoenaed by House committees over documents related to Trump’s contacts with Ukraine.

Esper said last week that he would provide to lawmakers "whatever information we can provide with regard to this incident, with regard to this matter, just as we would with any other matter."