Trump chief of staff summoned to testify in impeachment probe

 US House impeachment investigators on Tuesday summoned President Donald Trump's acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney for a deposition, saying he has "substantial first-hand kwledge" of Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine.

Mulvaney is latest ministration official to be ordered to testify with impeachment probe closing in around those nearest president as it proceeds into a new public phase, in which transcripts of closed-door testimony are being released. Mulvaney is highest-ranking White House official to be summoned in probe, although he is unlikely to comply given White House's opposition to ministration officials cooperating with investigators.

chairs of three House committees leing investigation wrote Mulvaney requesting he appear before panels on Friday at 9:00 am.

" investigation has revealed that you may have been directly involved in an effort orchestrated by President Trump, his personal nt, Rudolph Giuliani and ors to withhold a coveted White House meeting and nearly USD 400 million in security assistance in order to pressure (Ukraine) to pursue investigations that would benefit President Trump's personal political interests," y wrote.

"Your failure or refusal to appear at deposition, including at direction or behest of president, shall constitute furr evidence of obstruction of House's impeachment inquiry and may be used as an verse inference against you and President."

Last month, Mulvaney publicly stated that decision to freeze aid was tied to demand for investigations. He later walked back those comments. Several current and former officials have defied House subpoenas or voluntary requests to testify.

John Eisenberg, a White House lawyer suspected of involvement in Ukraine scandal, and Robert Blair, assistant to president and senior visor to Mulvaney, were among four officials who igred calls to testify Monday.