WH directs Bannon to avoid answering Hill queries in Russia probe

[UpInArms]

Source: CNN

President Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon faced angry lawmakers from both parties during a contentious interview that stretched more than 10 hours on Tuesday, as he was hit with subpoenas on multiple fronts and was accused by a top Democrat of agreeing to a White House "gag order."

Bannon confirmed to the House Intelligence Committee that he was issued a subpoena from special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before a grand jury, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. He was also slapped with a new subpoena on Tuesday from the committee itself, according to Rep. Mike Conaway, the Texas Republican leading the committee's Russia probe, and committee chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-California, who still signs off on subpoenas.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the committee, said after the hearing that Bannon was instructed by the White House in advance of the hearing not to respond to certain topics.

The California Democrat said the attorney for Bannon consulted with the White House after the committee subpoena was served Tuesday and was told his client was still not to answer questions regarding the time during the transition and in the White House.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/16/politics/steve-bannon-executive-privilege/index.html

[mpcamb]

1. Headline writers again- What do you mean when you say 'WH directs"?

orders?
conpels?
requests?
demands?

[UpInArms]

4. Further into the article

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday that the White House was not concerned with what Bannon might say to Congress or special counsel Robert Mueller's team. But she did not say whether the White House directed Bannon not to answer certain questions.

"As with all congressional inquiries touching upon the White House, Congress must consult with the White House prior to obtaining confidential material," Sanders said. "This is part of a judicially recognized process that goes back decades. We've been cooperating fully with these ongoing investigations and encourage the committees to work with us to find an appropriate accommodation in order to ensure Congress obtains information necessary to its legitimate interests."

(Emphasis mine)

[L. Coyote]

2. Schiff VIDEO:

from GD: BREAKING Schiff video: Bannon refused to answer questions, Trump WH gag order silencing him.

[McCamy Taylor]

3. Executive privilege or Russian Mafia death threats?

If I were Bannon, I would say what I want to say in private to Mueller.

[byronius]

5. Gosh, that used to be illegal.

Criminal mob bosses everywhere rejoice!

[L. Coyote]

6. The irony! Reporter, no problem, "Blab, blab." Congress, "I reserve the right to remain silent."

Contempt of Congress is what this is called. Won't work for Mueller's grand jury. There, a judge sends you straight to jail.

[riversedge]

11. I am waiting for Trump to be asked questions

[vkkv]

7. Yep, because Trump has done nothing wrong and has NOTHING TO HIDE! nt

[More_Cowbell]

8. Bannon's lawyer represents Priebus and McGahn, who have already flipped

He couldn't do that unless Bannon's interests aligned with theirs.

Also, consider that Bannon is the only person the House Intel Committee has tried to compel to talk.

I think that Nunes wants to know what Bannon has said/will say to Mueller, and that's why the committee subpoenaed him.

I think that Mueller is fine with Bannon not giving Trump and his cronies any information, and this exercise was to let Trump think that Bannon won't talk.

[Raven123]

9. I am thinking the same thing

Nunes can't run to potus and share Bannon's testimony if he doesn't have it. For Bannon it avoids possibly contradicting himself. For potus, nothing is gained.

[leftynyc]

10. Where did you hear that

Priebus and McGahn have already flipped. That's saying that donnie's CURRENT lawyer is cooperating with Mueller.

[Mc Mike]

12. Was that before or after tRump called him a sloppy crazy loser?

Or during?