President Trump knocked the House Judiciary Committee late Tuesday for allowing one of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s deputies to accompany him during his testimony Wednesday, saying he should not be able to appear for the hearing.
“Just got back only to hear of a last minute change allowing a Never Trumper attorney to help Robert Mueller with his testimony before Congress tomorrow.
What a disgrace to our system. Never heard of this before,” Trump tweeted. “VERY UNFAIR, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. A rigged Witch Hunt!”
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The Judiciary panel said earlier in the day it would permit Aaron Zebley to join Wednesday’s hearing as Mueller’s counsel, a change announced less than 24 hours before the former special counsel’s blockbuster testimony is set to begin.
A Republican source told The Hill earlier Tuesday that Mueller had requested that Zebley join him.
Rep. Doug Collins (Ga.), the top Republican on the committee, had criticized Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) over the move, asserting it would “jeopardize whether tomorrow’s hearing complies with the rules of the House.”
Zebley is not expected to testify during the hearing but be on hand to advise his former boss as Mueller faces rounds of questioning from Democrats and Republicans on his 22-month investigation into Russian election interference and possible obstruction of justice.
Trump’s ire toward Zebley is likely sparked by the fact that he represented the IT aide who helped Hillary Clinton set up a private email server.
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- Discussion
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#BREAKING: Trump calls for Mueller deputy to be blocked from testimony https://t.co/tWoGVjVDLK pic.twitter.com/lV9eWZXAd3
— The Hill (@thehill) July 23, 2019
Trump asserts his actions don't amount to obstruction on eve of Mueller testimony https://t.co/YSRQkrIYDV pic.twitter.com/GNtkiTolg7
— The Hill (@thehill) July 24, 2019
But really, at this point, any lawyer who cares about the rule of law and the Constitution is kind of a Never Trumper, so maybe that's what he means. https://t.co/jrVUunoQgB
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) July 24, 2019
Imagine the damage teachers are going to be undoing for years, on this and everything else this ignorant, disturbed man has done to our national political culture. https://t.co/Zg6TQpHnvG
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) July 24, 2019
So Trump would allow none of his staff to testify without a WH attorney present but Mueller is to be denied his right to counsel? Who in the heck does Trump think he is? This is beyond crazy. Mueller should be good and angry right now . Does he not realize yet that this man is out of control and Congress is reluctant to do its duty? Trump believes that as POTUS there are no limits to his power. He has come right out and said so. At this point everyone else has failed to do their duty. Mueller is the last man standing. Either he wants to take the safe easy way and hope that history will remember him as a fair man or stand up to Trump and Barr and be remembered as a man who spoke truth to power.
Mueller has within his power the means to put pressure on the House to begin impeachment hearings. House members are practically begging him to give them some kind of direction. No, they shouldn’t need it but it appears that they can only be shamed into it at this point or pushed by pressure from their constituents. It’s our last hope. Otherwise I’m convinced Trump comes out the hero and wins another term. God only knows what we’ll have left of this Republic after 4 more years of Donald Trump. I’m not holding out much hope. I think we will end up being very disappointed with Mueller.
How does Trump get to dictate the conditions for Mueller’s testimony? Perhaps Trump can assert executive privilege with respect to testimony by present or former staff, cabinet members, counsel and such. but Mueller? As far as I know, Mueller was not and is not an employee of Trump and was/is not Trump’s counsel. If Mueller has the stones and the integrity, he would defy Trump, bring along his attorney and answer whatever questions are directed to him.
How does Trump get to dictate the conditions for Mueller’s testimony? Perhaps Trump can assert executive privilege with respect to testimony by present or former staff, cabinet members, counsel and such. but Mueller? As far as I know, Mueller was not and is not an employee of Trump and was/is not Trump’s counsel. If Mueller has the stones and the integrity, he would defy Trump, bring along his attorney and answer whatever questions are directed to him.
And Trump should shut up about this investigation and stop wasting time on Twitter and elsewhere picking on people he doesn’t like and get to work doing the job he was elected to do.
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