The House Judiciary Committee scheduled a May 21 appearance by former White House counsel Don McGahn, setting up a possible contempt vote if he doesn’t show up.
President Trump has indicated he does not want McGahn to testify or turn over documents requested by the Democrat-led panel, citing through lawyer William Burck, “significant Executive Branch confidential interests and Executive privilege.”
But Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said McGahn must secure a court order excusing him from appearing or face a contempt of Congress charge if he doesn’t appear.
The panel subpoenaed McGahn to appear to discuss special counsel Robert Mueller’s report into Russian interference in the 2016 election and McGahn’s communications with the president regarding the probe.
It would be the second contempt vote against the Trump administration from Democrats this month. The panel last week voted to cite Attorney General William Barr for contempt for failing to turn over the entire, unredacted version of the Mueller report.
Democrats believe Trump tried to obstruct the investigation and McGahn may have information about those actions. Attorney General William Barr said there is no evidence Trump tried to interfere: “If the president wishes to block Mr. McGahn’s appearance in the face of a duly issued subpoena, the burden rests with the White House to file action in court to attempt to do so.”
Nadler said the panel will move ahead with a vote to hold McGahn in contempt if he does not show up next week.
