Pentagon told witness not to testify in impeachment inquiry

A Defense Department official who testified in impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump did so in defiance of Pentagon, which told her t to cooperate. A letter to Laura Cooper’s attorney obtained by Associated Press on Thursday cites an ministration-wide policy against participating in impeachment probe.

directive underscores Trump ministration efforts to discour or prevent some executive branch employees from cooperating with House Democrats, who are investigating Trump’s prodding of his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate Democratic rival, Joe Biden. ministration this month blocked Gordon Sondland, ambassor to European Union, from testifying, though he ultimately did so under a subpoena.

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letter cites concerns about wher House is authorized to conduct an impeachment inquiry without a formal vote and about what it says is a “blanket refusal” to permit Defense Department lawyers from being present for interviews. Excluding Department lawyers, letter says, “violates settled practice and may jeopardize future accommodation.”

“To reiterate, Department respects oversight role of Congress and stands rey to work with Committees should re be an appropriate resolution of outstanding legal issues,” res Defense Department letter to Cooper’s lawyer, Daniel Levin.

But, it ds, “Any such resolution would have to consider constitutional prerogatives and confidentiality interests of co-equal Executive Branch ... and ensure fundamental fairness to any Executive Branch employees involved in this process, including Ms. Cooper.”

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Several witnesses, including Cooper, have appeared for closed-door interviews after receiving subpoenas from House. Cooper, who oversees Ukraine policy at Defense Department, h to wait hours for her interview to begin on Wednesday after Republicans stormed secure room being used for depositions. act of protest brought proceedings to a halt. interview began about five hours late and ended after roughly four hours.

New York Times was first to report on letter.

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