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StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
6. It depends
Thu Sep 23, 2021, 10:54 PM
Sep 2021

Only some of them are entitled to claim executive privilege, which doesn't apply to every communication a president has, but only those communications he has with his executive staff.

For example, Bannon was not a government employee When he was communicating with Trump about January 6th so executive privilege would not prevent him from testifying. If Trump tried to invoke that and it got to court, I suspect a court would knock that down pretty quickly.

As for any employees who were actually part of Trump's staff at the time, I think it will be difficult to sustain such a defense, especially since the current administration would likely argue against it and their argument would carry significant weight - far more than any argument Trump would make.

Now, back to my question. Could you be more specific about what you think the committee would learn from these witnesses?

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0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I am not sure anything with testimony, I believe they will take the 5th Bev54 Sep 2021 #1
I suspect the committee will learn it was a waste of time, but I can be cynical. n/t PoliticAverse Sep 2021 #2
I'd say that is quite an assumption. kentuck Sep 2021 #3
This thread isn't for arguing about WHETHER they'll testify StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #4
Assuming they testify... kentuck Sep 2021 #5
It depends StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #6
In my opinion, they are trying to put the evidence together in regards to what the CinC... kentuck Sep 2021 #8
The subpoena was worded perfectly StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #12
I agree that is the right approach for them to take. kentuck Sep 2021 #21
I don't think they're inviting cooperation StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #23
I think they would prefer that witnesses cooperate but... kentuck Sep 2021 #25
There is no executive privilege dweller Sep 2021 #7
There actually is executive privilege for communications he had when he was president. StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #9
Would it not work in this case, because it is a criminal investigation? kentuck Sep 2021 #11
Executive privilege doesn't protect criminal activity StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #13
Right. I do not think Bannon would fall under any executive privilege protection... kentuck Sep 2021 #15
Yes, I agree on all counts StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #16
That would be nice to see. kentuck Sep 2021 #18
Of course... kentuck Sep 2021 #10
They can go to court, but I don't think they can drag it out the way it was done in the Trump yea StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #14
Perhaps that is why we got the statement from the White House, thru the Washington Post... kentuck Sep 2021 #17
Yes, I think ao StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #19
Yeah, it seems it is getting down to the nitty gritty... kentuck Sep 2021 #20
I agree StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #22
Bannon and Patel just plain can't under any theory dsc Sep 2021 #29
Depends DET Sep 2021 #24
I think the White House would prefer not to get involved... kentuck Sep 2021 #26
Asking this as a person that does NOT understand legal issues here. bluestarone Sep 2021 #27
If it were going to happen? kentuck Sep 2021 #28
AGREE! bluestarone Sep 2021 #30
Inherent contempt sounds great but is virtually unworkable in practice StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #31
Could i try one more time while we are addressing this process? bluestarone Sep 2021 #33
Members of Congress can't be arrested on their way to vote or while attending a session StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #34
Well there's that. bluestarone Sep 2021 #35
... StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #36
Maybe more than we realize PRETZEL Sep 2021 #32
Interesting StarfishSaver Sep 2021 #37
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