Democrats subpoena White House as Donald Trump signals he won’t cooperate on impeachment investigation
- Move widens probe into constitutional battle between executive branch and Congress
- Trump expected to formally object to inquiry and push for House vote he hopes will hurt Democrats at the polls
Trump said he would formally object to the impeachment investigation, even as he acknowledged that House Democrats “have the votes” to proceed. Democrats warned Trump is “on a path of defiance, obstruction and cover-up” and said defying their subpoena would be considered “evidence of obstruction”, potentially an impeachable offence.
The White House was expected to send a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arguing that Congress could not mount its impeachment inquiry without first having a vote to authorise it. The letter was expected to say the administration would not cooperate with the probe without that vote.
Trump said the resolution would likely pass the House, but he predicted it would backfire on Democrats.
“I really believe that they’re going to pay a tremendous price at the polls,” he said.