Kyle Skinner // 6/11/19 //
The House has voted to allow representatives to pursue civil suits to force information from stonewalling members of the administration. The Justice Department has agreed to turn key evidence in the Mueller probe over to the House in what might be a deal to avoid contempt charges. The Justice Department has released an OLC opinion saying that it is unconstitutional for Congress to prohibit executive branch attorneys from accompanying witnesses who are current or former executive branch employees called to testify before Congress.
DEMOCRACY
Mitch McConnell announced today that the Senate will receive a briefing on election security (The Hill).
Kia Rahnama explores the full extent of Congress’ investigatory and contempt powers (Lawfare).
Mike Rogers, a former NSA director, says the Mueller probe shows how important it is that the U.S. protect itself against election interference (The Hill).
JUSTICE & SAFETY
The U.S. has formally requested extradition of Julian Assange (WaPo).
INVESTIGATIONS
The House has voted to allow representatives to pursue civil suits to force information from stonewalling members of the administration (NPR).
Facing the possibility of being held in contempt for refusing a subpoena, Barr plans to ask Trump to assert executive privilege over materials related to the citizenship question on the 2020 census (WaPo).
The Justice Department has agreed to turn key evidence in the Mueller probe over to the House in what might be a deal to avoid contempt charges (NYT, The Hill, WSJ, Guardian).
Donald Trump, Jr. will testify tomorrow before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a closed-door hearing (WaPo).
The Justice Department has released an OLC opinion saying that it is unconstitutional for Congress to prohibit executive branch attorneys from accompanying witnesses who are current or former executive branch employees called to testify before Congress (Lawfare).