The White House rejects Democrats' request for documents as part of an investigation into the obstruction



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White House advisor Pat Cipollone on Wednesday sent a letter to Jerry Nadler, president of the judiciary, in which he argued that the committee's request for documents was illegitimate.

"It seems that the purpose of the Committee's investigation is not to pursue a legitimate legislative objective, but rather to conduct a pseudo-investigation of law enforcement issues on issues that were already being addressed." 39; object of the long-time investigation of the special advocate and who escape the constitutional authority of the Council. Legislative branch, "wrote Cipollone.

"Congressional investigations are aimed at obtaining information to assess potential legislation, not to harass political opponents or carry out an" unauthorized "operation of comprehensive investigations into law enforcement carried out by the Ministry of Justice, "he added.

The letter adds an extra layer to the growing feud between the White House and Democrats in the House about their numerous investigations into the Trump administration and the activities and finances of President Donald Trump.
Trump has already stated that his administration would fight against all subpoenas in the House, many of which are now before the courts. The Judiciary Committee voted last week to convict Attorney General William Barr, disregarding the failure to provide Mueller's full report and evidence. The Ways and Means Committee has issued a subpoena for Trump's personal and professional tax returns.

Nadler and other Democratic House leaders now have the opportunity to blame many administration officials at the same time as part of a series of measures to highlight the fact that the Trump administration is blocking Congress . Some Democrats also speak of invoking the so-called powers of Congress's inherent contempt to fine or imprison those who challenge Congressional summonses.

Cipollone's letter, which was first reported by the Washington Post, was sent in response to a request by the Judiciary Committee in March for 81 individuals and entities, including the White House. The letters were the opening salvo in the investigation of the committee on obstruction of justice and abuse of power, which covered many of the same topics as Mueller's investigation.
The requests were also forwarded to several former officials of the White House. The committee issued a subpoena to former White House lawyer Don McGahn, and the White House ordered him not to provide documents in response.

McGahn was also summoned to testify on May 21 and Nadler threatens to despise him if he does not appear.

In the letter, Cipollone accuses the House committee of violating the privilege of the executive in its demands, although it did not claim that the White House had claimed a privilege on the documents in question.

"If the Committee continues to investigate, the requests made in its letter of March 4 suffer from numerous legal irregularities and reflect little or no respect for the legitimate interests of the executive branch and the accommodation process that governs Congress information requests from the executive, "wrote Cipollone.

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