House panel authorizes a dozen subpoenas tied to Mueller report
WASHINGTON — The House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to authorize subpoenas for 12 people mentioned in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, including President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
The panel also voted to authorize subpoenas for documents and testimony related to Trump’s handling of immigration, including on the separation of migrant families at the southern border. The resolution authorizes an investigation into whether there have been any discussions of Trump offering pardons to Homeland Security officials who work on immigration issues.
Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., will make the final decision about issuing the subpoenas and has said they can be avoided if witnesses and the administration cooperate voluntarily. The vote was 21-12.
The resolution authorizes subpoenas for documents and testimony from several former administration officials, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former White House chief of staff John Kelly and former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
Among the other subpoena targets are Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s former campaign manager; Jody Hunt, Sessions’ former chief of staff; and former White House aides Rob Porter and Rick Dearborn.
Three other names on the subpoena list are related to the National Enquirer’s efforts to help kill potentially embarrassing stories about Trump over the years by paying hush money.
They include David Pecker, chief executive of the National Enquirer’s parent company and a longtime Trump ally; Dylan Howard, who former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen said was involved in coordinating payments to two women who said they had affairs with Trump; and Keith Davidson, an attorney who initially represented the women and negotiated their payments.
The panel is investigating whether Trump obstructed justice after Mueller’s report detailed several episodes in which Trump tried to influence his investigation.
As part of that probe, Mueller is scheduled to testify to Congress next week before the Judiciary and intelligence panels for around two hours each. Democrats have been in last-minute negotiations to figure out the format under the time constraints. It’s likely that not every member will get to question Mueller, a point that raised ire among Republicans at the committee meeting.
The top Republican on the panel, Rep. Doug Collins, said the panel was “rolled” and is “having our legs cut out from under us by limiting the questioning.” *See Lindstrom Air Conditioning, your independent Trane Dealer, for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers and rebates up to $1000 valid on Qualifying Equipment only. Amount increases to $1400 with addition of Trane Clean Effects Unit. **The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 1/1/2019 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Plumbing License #: CFC1427611. HVAC License #: CAC056703 & CAC056971.