Senior OMB official Mark Sandy testifying on Capitol Hill in closed-door deposition

Source: CNN



Washington (CNN)A senior career official at the Office of Management and Budget arrived on Capitol Hill Saturday for his closed-door deposition in the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Mark Sandy, who has served under both Republican and Democrat presidents, is the first OMB official to meet with impeachment investigators after others, like OMB director and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, refused.Sandy received a subpoena Saturday morning to appear before lawmakers, after his attorney said he would be willing to testify so long as he was subpoenaed.

"In light of an attempt by OMB to direct Mark Sandy not to appear for his scheduled deposition, and efforts to limit any testimony that does occur, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to compel his testimony," an official working on the impeachment inquiry told CNN. "As required of him by law, Mr. Sandy is complying with the subpoena and answering questions from both Democratic and Republican Members and staff."

Political appointees in the office have fought subpoenas, declined to provide documents, and tried in other ways to stonewall the probe, which is focused on whether Trump withheld US military aid to pressure Ukraine to conduct investigations he could benefit from politically.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/16/politics/mark-sandy-deposition-impeachment-inquiry/index.html

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Full headline: Senior OMB official Mark Sandy testifying on Capitol Hill in closed-door deposition in impeachment inquiry

Interesting that the article mentioned that he "officially" received a subpoena this morning (per request).

The one thing to note - I *think* all of the witnesses who have testified have been civil service - either current or at some point during their careers, even if they were serving in Schedule B (special hire) or C (appointee) positions. So like my own agency, they were well-steeped in the issues of Congress, ethics, the courts, and subpoenas. They literally put the fear of god in people when you work for the federal government!