House Speaker Paul Ryan said lawmakers “will do what we need to do” in response to former FBI attorney Lisa Page, who snubbed a congressional subpoena to testify Wednesday.
“I am very disturbed by this,” Ryan said. “Congressional subpoenas for testimony are not optional.”
Page was scheduled Wednesday to give a deposition to House lawmakers probing the FBI’s handling of both the Clinton private email server investigation and whether Trump’s presidential campaign colluded with the Russians.
Page exchanged anti-Trump texts with FBI investigator and then-paramour Peter Strzok and the two discussed ways to stop Trump’s victory and his administration.
Page’s lawyer told lawmakers yesterday that Page would not appear on Wednesday because she has not obtained requested documents needed to help her prepare.
[New: Lisa Page’s lawyer says she’s willing to testify ‘later this month’]
The House could vote to hold Page in contempt of Congress if she does not provide the deposition. Ryan did not say whether the House would hold such a vote, most likely because lawmakers are looking for ways to get Page to appear voluntarily.
“If she wants to come plead the Fifth that is her choice, but a subpoena to come testify is not optional,” Ryan said. “We will do what we need to do to protect this branch of government.”
