House Democrats said President Trump could be impeached for corruption and a cover-up if he blocks witnesses summoned to testify in the impeachment inquiry.
“Any efforts by Trump Administration officials to prevent witness cooperation with the Committees will be deemed obstruction of a co-equal branch of government and an adverse inference may be drawn against the President on the underlying allegations of corruption and coverup,” the Democratic chairmen of the three House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry said Friday.
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The Democrats released the statement after Marie Yovanovitch, the ex-U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, showed up on Capitol Hill to participate in a deposition.
The Trump administration ordered her not to appear, but Democrats last night issued a subpoena and Yovanovitch appeared, in defiance of the Trump administration.
Yovanovitch is no fan of the Trump administration and told lawmakers she was wrongfully accused of working against the president during her nearly three-year tenure as ambassador.
Trump recalled her a few months before the end of her term following reports she was badmouthing the president.
The lawmakers warned Trump not to try to block witnesses summoned by subpoena.
“This duly authorized subpoena is mandatory, and the illegitimate order from the Trump Administration not to cooperate has no force,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel of New York, and Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said Friday. “As is required of her, the Ambassador is now complying with the subpoena and answering questions from both Democratic and Republican Members and staff.”
