It is being reported that Trump personally told Steve Bannon not answer questions from House investigators about Russia.
Foreign Policy reported, “President Donald Trump personally made the decision to curtail the testimony of former chief White House political strategist Steve Bannon before the House Intelligence Committee, according to two people with firsthand knowledge of the matter.Trump acted to limit Bannon’s testimony based on legal advice provided by Uttam Dhillon, a deputy White House counsel, who concluded that the administration might have legitimate executive privilege claims to restrict testimony by Bannon and other current and former aides to the president, according to these same sources.”
Innocent presidents don’t meddle in testimony and tell witnesses not to answer questions. This president didn’t want Steve Bannon talking about the period that ranged from the transition to his time working in the White House. The big event that happened while Bannon worked in the White House was the firing of James Comey.
Trump is trying to keep information about the firing of Comey out of the hands of investigators, which suggests that Trump and his lawyers are worried about an obstruction of justice charge.
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
Bannon probably has information on the Trump’s campaign’s coordination with Russia, but the area of jeopardy for Trump that stems from Bannon’s time in the White House is obstruction of justice. Trump is personally meddling with witnesses in the Russia investigation, and his interference won’t be punished until Democrats take back all or part of Congress.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
