Justice Department officials had announced hours earlier that the president had asserted privilege over Mueller’s report. “The White House and their Republican supporters have a strategy of omerta, the code of silence, and everybody has to abide by it,” said Raben. House Democrats have been rebuffed in their demands for Trump’s tax returns, a hearing with former White House counsel Donald McGahn and records related to how security clearances were granted to senior Trump aides. Buying time for the Trump administration may have long-term legal risks, both for this administration and for future presidents, but it could help Trump politically. And even if it does, the White House could still lose in court.

Source: Washington Post May 08, 2019 23:15 UTC