National Security Trump administration sought to block Sally Yates from testifying to Congress...

[brooklynite]

Source: Washington Post

The Trump administration sought to block former acting attorney general Sally Yates from testifying to Congress in the House investigation of links between Russian officials and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, The Washington Post has learned, a position that is likely to further anger Democrats who have accused Republicans of trying to damage the probe.

According to a series of letters reviewed by The Post, Yates was notified earlier this month by the Justice Department that the administration considers a great deal of her possible testimony to be barred from discussion in a congressional hearing because the topics are covered by the presidential communication privilege.

Ms. Yates and other former intelligence officials had been asked to testify before the House Intelligence Committee this week, a hearing that was abruptly canceled by the panel’s chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.). Yates was the deputy attorney general in the final years of the Obama administration, and served as the acting attorney general in the first days of the Trump administration.

Trump fired Yates in January after she ordered Justice Department lawyers not to defend his first immigration order temporarily banning entry into United States for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and refugees from around the world.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-sought-to-block-sally-yates-from-testifying-to-congress-on-russia/2017/03/28/82b73e18-13b4-11e7-9e4f-09aa75d3ec57_story.html

[rzemanfl]

1. The coverup looks worse with each passing day. n/t

[TomCADem]

2. This Is An Absolute Cover-up. The Public Should Be Outraged

There is a huge conflict of interest in the White House asserting privilege with respect to investigations over the President collusion with the Russians, particularly when the White House has been pushing out one sided lies with respect to Sally Yates.

[wordpix]

3. Yates, Brennan to testify, Nunes goes to WH for "new intel", now hearings canceled. Coincidence?

NO! Clearly the WH told Nunes to STOP THIS and Nunes agreed, possibly b/c he's named in the WH Transition group-FBI investigation

[herding cats]

4. They can stall her testimony, but they can't prevent it indefinitely.

The truth will come out.

[deminks]

5. Presidential privilege - deja vu all over again.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_privilege

[cstanleytech]

18. It has limits though

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/starr050698.htm

"In a ruling issued under court seal Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson concluded that independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr's need to collect evidence in his obstruction of justice probe outweighs Clinton's interest in preserving the confidentiality of White House discussions, the lawyers said."

Granted the Starr investigation turned out to be pure BS by the Repugnants however by pressing forward on it they got a court to to clearly set a limit on executive privilege for the President especially when it comes to major investigations.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

6. Obstruction! nt

[ffr]

7. You only try to hide, obstruct, and cover your tracks when you have something to hide

A wise man once said.

LOCK THEM UP!!!

[stuffmatters]

17. Yep, seems a pretty public admission of guilt by Trump & Sessions both.

I really do not see how they can spin this suppression of testimony as anything else.

[Marcuse]

8. Executive Privilege?

Does anyone believe the First Runner-Up solicited advice from Ms. Yates re the Russians?

[riversedge]

10. Trump has lawyered up. ...."executive priviledge' is a ruse -and a laugh!

..............According to letters The Post reviewed, the Justice Department notified Yates earlier this month that the administration considers a great deal of her possible testimony to be barred from discussion in a congressional hearing because the topics are covered by the presidential communication privilege.

[riversedge]

9. Well, now we know why Nunes cancelled hearings scheduled for today in which Yates was to testify.

Nunes knew!!

Amy Siskind‏Verified account @Amy_Siskind 2h2 hours ago

Well, now we know why Nunes cancelled hearings scheduled for today in which Yates was to testify.

Link to tweet

[riversedge]

11. Tweet from Adam Schiff**..Was today's open hearing cancelled because WH did not want Sally Yates to

Link to tweet

Adam Schiff‏Verified account @RepAdamSchiff 1h1 hour ago

Was today's open hearing cancelled because WH did not want Sally Yates to testify re Gen Flynn's deception? Didn't want to assert privilege?

[riversedge]

12. We need to flood @DevinNunes office with calls. DC office is picking up on ext 2 - 202.225.2523

Flood it!


cliffsidedrive‏ @cliffsidedrive 2h2 hours ago

@Amy_Siskind We need to flood @DevinNunes office with calls. DC office is picking up on ext 2 - 202.225.2523 @realFireNunes

[riversedge]

13. Nunes has been actively working to undermine the #TrumpRussia investigation for weeks (at least). It

Caroline O.‏ @RVAwonk 38m38 minutes ago

Caroline O. Retweeted Caroline O.

Devin Nunes has been actively working to undermine the #TrumpRussia investigation for weeks (at least). It's past time to remove him.

Link to tweet

[NewJeffCT]

14. so, Team Trump is scared of a girl?

again

[vkkv]

15. No one is above the law, right?

[Initech]

16. Another piece of the puzzle.