Mere hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced there would be an official impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump by Congress, the White House has backed off their efforts to block the whistleblower from speaking to Congress … sort of. Per The New York Times, the White House is expected to release the complaint and allow the whistleblower to speak to Congressional investigators as early as this week.
The Times further reports that lawyers are working out the details … and therein lies the rub. (Emphasis added)
Intelligence community lawyers sent a letter to the whistleblower on Monday, indicating that the office was trying to work out the issues that would allow the whistleblower to speak with Congress, according to a person briefed on the matter. Andrew P. Bakaj, a lawyer for the whistleblower, had sent a letter to the director of national intelligence on Monday, saying that his client wanted to meet with members of Congress but needed the office’s approval.
Intelligence community lawyers have had discussions with the White House and the Justice Department officials about how the whistleblower can share his complaint without infringing on issues like executive privilege.
“Without infringing on issues like executive privilege” should give everyone pause. The administration has broadly used executive privilege, even claiming privilege with people like Corey Lewandowski, who never even worked in the White House.
MSBNC reporter Heidi Przybyla has details of an alleged discussion between Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi today.
The whistleblower’s lawyer says they are happy with the development.
Stay tuned.