Top Republicans are moving to block a Senate inquiry into the Trump justice department’s secret seizure of data from Democrats to hunt down leaks of classified information, fearing a close investigation could damage the former president. It also means Republicans are certain to lock arms to block subpoenas against Trump justice department officials, including former attorneys general Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions. Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate judiciary committee, suggested he would offer no such support. Trump’s justice department seized data from Schiff and Swalwell, fierce Trump critics. The political roadblocks being laid down by Senate Republicans mean the most meaningful congressional investigation into the Trump justice department targeting Democrats is likely to come from the House judiciary committee.

Source: The Guardian June 16, 2021 07:00 UTC