The judge said a deposition was also necessary because government lawyers and Ross himself "have placed the credibility of Secretary Ross squarely at issue in these cases." "There is something surprising, if not unsettling, about defendants' aggressive efforts to shield Secretary Ross from having to answer questions about his conduct in adding the citizenship question to the census questionnaire," Furman said. They claim the citizenship question will discourage immigrants from participating, diluting political representation and federal dollars for states that tend to vote Democratic. The judge said Ross has testified under oath that he was unaware of discussions between him and anyone in the White Houses over the citizenship question. "But there is now reason to believe that Steve Bannon, then a senior adviser in the White House, was among the 'other government officials' whom Secretary Ross consulted about the citizenship question," Furman said.

Source: ABC News September 21, 2018 21:33 UTC