Trump claims he's blocking impeachment testimony to help future presidents
Trump has ordered all current and former officials not to testify to Congress, but he claims he’s only trying to protect other presidents, not himself.
Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that he actually would love to have top current and former aides testify in the impeachment inquiry, but that doing so might hurt future presidents.
“The D.C. Wolves and Fake News Media are reading far too much into people being forced by Courts to testify before Congress,” he tweeted Tuesday, a day after a federal judge ruled that former White House counsel Don McGahn must comply with a congressional subpoena — contrary to White House demands.
“I am fighting for future Presidents and the Office of the President. Other than that, I would actually like people to testify,” Trump continued. “Don McGahn’s respected lawyer has already stated that I did nothing wrong.” McGahn, a key witness in Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, reportedly refused to exonerate Trump of alleged obstruction of justice.
Trump also claimed that he would love to have former national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney “testify about the phony Impeachment Hoax.” But he has ordered them not to cooperate with the investigation, he said, because “future Presidents should in no way be compromised. What has happened to me should never happen to another President!”
Trump and his administration have refused to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry, defying subpoenas and attacking the inquiry as “baseless” and “unconstitutional.”
They have also refused to provide other information to Congress, such as Trump’s tax returns, and blocked witnesses from participating in other oversight matters. Trump refused to testify in Mueller’s investigation, instead offering only partial written answers to questions. Mueller determined these answers to be “inadequate” and documented at least 10 “discrete acts” where Trump may have tried to obstruct justice.
Recommended
Biden campaign launches new ad focused on Affordable Care Act
Former President Trump has said he wants to do away with the popular health care law.
By Kim Lyons, Pennsylvania Capital-Star - May 08, 2024Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide
Donald Trump is planning to release more details in the weeks ahead about how his administration would regulate access to medication abortion, according to comments he made during a lengthy interview with Time magazine published Tuesday.
By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom - April 30, 2024Biden on abortion rights: President expects to give speech Tuesday on new Florida 6-week ban
‘Having the president of the United States speaking out loud and with confidence about abortion access is a great thing’
By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix - April 22, 2024