Acting DNI Joseph Maguire was asked by Rep. Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut, if he had ever talked to Donald Trump about the whistleblower's complaint. Maguire was quick to assert executive privilege directly. "It would be inappropriate to disclose any of my conversations with the president," he said. He then said that the White House had not instructed him to assert that privilege.
He was freelancing, apparently. But when he was asked by California Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier if Trump had ever asked him for the identity of the whistleblower, privilege was apparently no longer relevant. "I can say—although I would not normally discuss my conversations with the President, I can tell you emphatically, no."
So apparently he's free to ignore executive privilege if the answer is good for Trump.
Thursday, Sep 26, 2019 · 3:49:16 PM +00:00
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Joan McCarter
And there we have it again.
Maloney attempts again to ask if Maguire talked to Trump about the whistleblower complaint. Again, Maguire won’t answer.
Schiff intervenes, saying that if Maguire did not have a conversation with Trump about the whistleblower report, he can say so without affecting any privilege. He also notes what a massive conflict of interest it would be if Maguire did talk to Trump. Maguire continues to invoke privilege.