Bolton knows more about Ukraine issue, says lawyer
Former national security adviser John Bolton was ‘‘part of many relevant meetings and conversations’’ pertaining to the House impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump that are not yet public, his lawyer says.
Charles Cooper made the revelation yesterday, in a letter that suggests Bolton will appear before Congress only if a judge orders him to do so.
The letter, addressed to the top lawyer for the House of Representatives, seeks to distinguish Bolton and former deputy Charles Kupperman from other current and former
White House officials who have testified so far to impeachment investigators.
The letter says that Bolton and Kupperman, unlike the other witnesses, provided direct advice to Trump regularly, and would be asked during any congressional appearance to disclose sensitive foreign policy and national security information.
Kupperman was subpoenaed as part of the impeachment inquiry but has sued House Democrats and the Trump administration. He has asked a judge to decide which directive he must follow – one from Congress ordering him to testify, the other from the White House telling him not to.
Bolton has not been subpoenaed. Lawmakers scheduled a Friday interview with him, but he did not show.
Cooper represents both Bolton and Kupperman.
‘‘Dr Kupperman stands ready, as does Ambassador Bolton, to testify if the judiciary resolves the conflict in favour of the Legislative Branch’s position respecting such testimony,’’ Cooper wrote.
Meanwhile, Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney yesterday stood up Democrats during their impeachment inquiry, skipping a scheduled 9am deposition as the Democrats wrap up closed-door interviews and move into a public phase of the investigation.
Democrats subpoenaed Mulvaney on Friday, but the White House signalled that he would not appear. The White House has instructed its officials not to comply with the investigation.
Mulvaney’s lawyer claimed that he had ‘‘absolute immunity’’, a claim Democrats have challenged in court for other administration witnesses.