White House Tells Former Counsel Don McGahn Not To Testify To Congress

Farewell Ceremony For Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein

The Trump administration has instructed former White House counsel Don McGahn not to testify before Congress about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. McGahn was subpoenaed to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday (May 21) to answer questions about his knowledge of the events that led to President Donald Trump firing FBI Director James Comey.

McGahn fully cooperated with the Mueller investigation and was interviewed numerous times for over 30 hours in total.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone explained in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler that McGahn is immune from "compelled congressional testimony on matters related to their official responsibilities."

"Because of this constitutional immunity, and in order to protect the prerogatives of the Office of the Presidency, the President has directed Mr. McGahn not to appear at the Committee's scheduled hearing on Tuesday, May 21, 2019," Cipollone wrote. "This long-standing principle is firmly rooted in the Constitution's separation of powers and protects the core functions of the Presidency, and we are adhering to this well-established precedent in order to ensure that future Presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Office of the Presidency."

Photo: Getty Images


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