Energy Department won't comply with impeachment subpoena [View all]
Source: CNN
(CNN)Assistant Secretary of Energy Melissa Burnison told the three committees involved in the House impeachment inquiry that the Energy Department is "unable to comply with your request for documents and communications at this time."
The letter argues about the validity of the inquiry and contends the request is for confidential communications "that are potentially protected by executive privilege and would require careful review." Burnison concludes by saying the department "remains committed to working with Congress."
Outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry's role in the Ukraine scandal has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, and his contact with Ukrainian officials was the subject of the subpoena from House Democrats. Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney confirmed in a rare press conference Thursday that President Donald Trump had instructed Perry, at a May 23 meeting in the Oval Office, to work through his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani on Ukraine-related issues.
Multiple witnesses in the impeachment probe have testified that Giuliani meddled in foreign policy related to Ukraine, circumventing the diplomatic process in some cases. House Democrats had also sought documents related to Perry's trip to Ukraine for President Volodymyr Zelensky's inauguration, when Perry led the US delegation in place of Vice President Mike Pence at Trump's instruction. he rejection is the latest instance where the Trump administration has flouted House subpoenas in the Democratic impeachment inquiry.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/politics/energy-department-subpoena-decline/index.html
Well that settles that.
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