White House curbing scope of testimony to Hill probes

[TomCADem]

Source: MSN/CNN

The White House is working behind the scenes to limit the testimony to congressional investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, according to multiple sources.

The attempts to curtail testimony to congressional investigators became clear this week when former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon appeared before the House Intelligence Committee and infuriated both sides of the aisle by refusing to answer questions about his work during the presidential transition and in the White House.

At some points during Bannon's six hours of closed-door testimony, his attorney took breaks to confer via telephone with the White House counsel's office to clarify what questions could be answered and came back with the same guidance: Bannon could not discuss any activities related to the transition or his tenure in the White House.

"All shots were called by the White House," says one source familiar with the proceedings.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/white-house-curbing-scope-of-testimony-to-hill-probes/ar-AAuPvI8?li=BBnb7Kz

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This is only possible because Congressional Republicans are going along with it.

[Sophia4]

1. This is the beginning of the end for Trump -- Part II Attempt to cover up the facts.

The demise of the Trump administration could be slow, but it has now truly begun.

[TomCADem]

2. Or, the Precursor to a Dictatorship...

Do you really think Congressional Republicans will lift a finger to stop Trump? After going so far, how can Republicans suddenly decide to have a backbone? They are in too deep.

Now, all they need is a war as a pretext for more obvious restrictions on our freedoms.

[Scarsdale]

3. What questions are not

being answered? Isn't the Orange Menace CONSTANTLY claiming "there is no collusion"? Someone is lying, obviously. The gop must have taken a lot of Russian money, for them to let this avoidance of answers pass. Lewendowski must be worried about what his girlfriend, Hope Hicks revealed when she went before the committee. I wonder if Bannon is hoping that by acting this way, he can get back into tRump's good graces? The WH is likely still trying to eliminate the odor in his old office. That guy really should take a shower and change clothes more often.

[tblue37]

7. If Bannon spills to Mueller's grand jury, he can claim he was forced

but tried to protect Trump in his appearance in congress. He is more likely playing to the base than to Trump himself.

[Hortensis]

4. If anything, this helps the Mueller investigation,

by limiting information given out to anyone but them, and it lets Republicans on the investigating committees involve their party deeper and deeper in attempted cover-up. Many Republicans in congress have ties to people and events being investigated. Not looking good!

Although always a concern, I no longer fear that somehow the Republicans will be able to bury this. Our republic's system of laws is holding up. It's out there, the fourth estate is on it, the wheels of our justice system are grinding, and the Republicans can't stop it.

My guess is that only a cluelessness borne of profound corruption and ethical incompetence, supported by the arrogance and enormous wealth of their archconservative donors, have kept them from realizing they've already lost and rushing to a pretense of outraged righteousness. After all, long ago they were already the kind of people who chose the road that brought them here.

[Sunlei]

5. Why do Republicans spend billions on hacked emails but block Russia attacks against democracy?

makes the republican party look guilty as hell?

[Bayard]

6. Add another big check in the obstruction column

Why is Bannon or his attorney allowed to make phone calls during testimony? Does anyone else get to do that?

Back during my excruciating lawsuit days, your lawyer could call into the court on a conference call, where he and the judge could converse, but you couldn't just sit there on the phone with your attorney on a private call. And definitely not if he was not your personal legal representative.