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House Oversight Committee Threatens Contempt for Trump Staffer Ignoring House Subpoenas

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) is up to his dirty tricks again and is threatening to hold a former Trump staffer in contempt if he does not show up for his appointment to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee.

After ignoring the initial subpoena, Cummings has now rescheduled Carl Kline’s appointment later this week.

Kline is Trump’s former White House Security Director.

In Contempt

Kline was already in hot water for ignoring a subpoena issued by the House Oversight Committee, of which Cummings is the Chairman.

Cummings had issued the subpoena for Kline after a subordinate of Kline’s gave testimony that the Trump administration had ignored normal security clearance protocols to issue numerous security clearances.

Rep. Cummings seemed hesitant to hold Kline in contempt, so he rescheduled his hearing date for May 1 at 10:00 a.m.

The fact the White House told Kline to ignore the subpoena more than likely dissuaded Cummings from pursuing any contempt charges.

Change of Heart

Cummings tried to scare Kline on Sunday with a published letter calling him out for ignoring the subpoena.

The public letter stated, “Your refusal to participate in a deposition last Tuesday pursuant to a duly authorized subpoena from this Committee is a very serious matter that places you in significant jeopardy.

“Your actions are particularly egregious because you did not even appear before the Committee as the subpoena directed.

“I understand the White House ordered you not to appear, but that is not a valid reason to defy a congressional subpoena.

“The President asserted no Constitutional privilege and has not relieved you of the legal requirement the subpoena imposed.”

In response, the White encouraged Kline to appear per Cummings latest request.

However, the stipulation seemed to limit his talking points to “personnel security policies and practices.”

If the Committee tries to go beyond that into specifics, Kline may very well decline to answer.

According to reports, the Committee is looking for specifics on the security clearances issued to Jared Kushner, Michael Flynn, and Rob Porter.

Sources: Stars and Stripes / Fox News

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