AP Sources: WH directed Bannon silence in House interview

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

https://www.apnews.com/b8bcb053fda9444a9c0f1dc0ea7b87e4/AP-Sources:-WH-directed-Bannon-silence-in-House-interview

ASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Bannon’s attorney relayed questions, in real time, to the White House during a House Intelligence Committee interview of the former Trump chief strategist, people familiar with the closed-door session told The Associated Press.

As lawmakers probed Bannon’s time working for President Donald Trump, Bannon’s attorney Bill Burck was asking the White House counsel’s office by phone during the Tuesday session whether his client could answer the questions. He was told by that office not to discuss his work on the transition or in the White House.

It’s unclear who Burck was communicating with in the White House. He is also representing top White House lawyer Don McGahn in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Tuesday’s conversations were confirmed by a White House official and a second person familiar with Bannon’s interview. They spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

At the White House, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the questions were relayed over the phone and said it was a typical process.

 

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee is accusing President Donald Trump’s White House of placing a “gag order” on former chief strategist Steve Bannon, barring him from answering many questions as part of the panel’s investigation into Russian election interference. (Jan. 16)

“Sometimes they actually have a White House attorney present in the room,” she said. “This time it was something that was relayed via phone and again was following standard procedure for an instance like this and something that will likely happen again on any other number of occasions, not just within this administration but future administrations.”

On Wednesday, the AP also confirmed that Bannon will meet with Mueller’s investigators for an interview instead of appearing before a grand jury. A person familiar with that issue confirmed the interview and said Bannon is expected to cooperate with Mueller. The person was not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.

It’s unclear when the interview might occur.

Burck didn’t respond to numerous phone messages left Tuesday and Wednesday. A spokeswoman for Bannon did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsel’s office, declined comment.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Last week he was a hero for standing up to Trump. 

[smilesammich 10,727]

he was? i thought last week he was on a book tour or something.

[JimandChristy 1,689]

As soon as Mueller gets into Trump's inner circle the sooner Donnie the Racist will start cracking up!