Trump announced in his letter to House Democrats that he is banning everyone in his administration from testifying or turning over documents to the impeachment investigation.
This is the relevant part of the letter:
President Trump did nothing wrong and has nothing to hide and is also banning EVERYONE in his administration from testifying to Congress or turning over documents to Congress or complying with Congressional subpoenas pic.twitter.com/2QBq8jYxBi
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) October 8, 2019
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
Those who are handwringing about how Democrats will counter Trump’s “strategy” are missing the point. Democrats don’t need to counter Trump or wait for witnesses.
The House has the power in an impeachment investigation. Trump doesn’t get to set the rules or decide how things go down.
If Trump refuses to provide documents or testimony from anyone in his administration, that’s fine. The House can move forward with articles of impeachment, and impeach him. The House has all of the evidence that it needs. Trump could be impeached based on the transcript of the phone call and the whistleblowers who have come forward.
The White House is trying to use the Mueller investigation playbook in a very different situation.
Trump already gave Democrats all of the evidence that they need. His written tantrum is a bid to close the barn door long after the horse is gone.
The president can try to ban everyone from testifying, but it doesn’t matter.
The House isn’t going to slow down, and they are still going to impeach him.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
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
