Trump’s lawyers argued executive power in attempt to head off risky Mueller subpoena: NY Times

0
276


Donald Trump’s lawyers have been arguing for months that absolute presidential power could limit the ability of special counsel Robert Mueller to make the president answer questions in the investigation into whether he obstructed justice, the New York Times reported Saturday.

The lawyers, in the confidential letter sent to Mueller, asserted that Trump cannot be compelled to testify. Further, he could not possibly have committed obstruction because he has unfettered authority over all federal investigations.

The 20-page letter obtained by the Times contends that the president cannot illegally obstruct any aspect of the investigation into Russia’s election meddling because the Constitution empowers him to, “if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon.”

Read: Timing of any Trump-Mueller interview depends on North Korea summit, Giuliani says

Analysts say it is a broad, and perhaps novel, interpretation of executive authority and may require a court ruling.

The letter, from January, was written by two of the president’s lawyers at the time, John Dowd and Jay Sekulow. Dowd no longer works for the president.

Read: Mueller’s Russia probe has cost nearly $17 million

Trump tweeted Saturday afternoon about the same time the article hit.

Trump’s lawyers, including Rudy Giuliani, have shown concerns that if he answers questions, either voluntarily or in front of a grand jury, he risks exposing himself to accusations of lying to investigators, a potential crime or impeachable offense.





Source : MTV