White House moves to block McGahn from testifying

WASHINGTON — The White House moved to shield former counsel Don McGahn from testifying before Congress, asserting a broad immunity to compelled testimony as Democrats investigate President Donald Trump’s efforts to curb special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.

“Because of this constitutional immunity, and in order to protect the prerogatives of the Office of the Presidency, the president has directed Mr. McGahn not to appear at the committee’s scheduled hearing on Tuesday, May 21, 2019,” White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote Monday in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler.

The move escalates a battle between the White House and Congress over lawmakers’ authority to investigate the president following the conclusion of Mueller’s probe. Earlier this month, the administration told McGahn not to turn over documents the House Judiciary Committee had subpoenaed in April, and asserted executive privilege over all of Mueller’s investigative documents sought by Democratic lawmakers.

Democrats have said they need to hear from McGahn to learn more about several incidents that Mueller investigated to see whether Trump had tried to obstruct justice. The committee could decide to hold McGahn in contempt if he decides to follow the White House’s instructions and decline to appear.