Documents: White House Orders Former Official to Defy Congressional Subpoena, Congress Responds
The White House sent a letter on Monday to counsel for Carl Kline, former White House personnel security director, directing him to not comply with a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Published by The Lawfare Institute
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The White House sent a letter on Monday to counsel for Carl Kline, former White House personnel security director, directing him to not comply with a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Kline was subpoenaed in connection with testimony given to the oversight committee by personnel security official Tricia Newbold, in which she asserted that her office issued 25 denials of security clearances that were overturned by the White House.
Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings released a statement on Tuesday responding to this letter. He highlighted that the White House did not assert privilege, but rather sought to "challenge the Committee's authority" to depose Kline. Cummings also noted his intention to consult with House counsel and oversight committee members about scheduling a vote to hold Kline in comtempt. Both the White House's letter to Kline and Cummings's statement are available below.
