Judge chides DOJ for trying to block star Mueller witness testimony

A federal judge sharply challenged the Trump administration on Thursday over its objections to a House Democratic lawsuit trying to force the testimony of one of Robert Mueller’s star witnesses as part of their broader impeachment inquiry.

Lawmakers have been fighting to bring in former White House counsel Don McGahn for questioning since he showed up repeatedly at the center of anecdotes detailing President Donald Trump’s potential obstruction of justice in the special counsel’s final report. But the Justice Department has tried to block McGahn’s testimony, arguing that the ex-Trump aide can essentially ignore a congressional subpoena related to his time in the White House, and that the courts shouldn’t weigh in on a dispute between Congress and the executive branch.

U.S. District Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday struggled to size up the department’s argument. The judge’s approach is being closely watched because her ultimate decision could have an effect on separate court battles over Democrats’ attempts to subpoena other reluctant witnesses as it investigates Trump’s attempts to pressure Ukraine into launching politically advantageous probes. During the hearing, Jackson directed several pointed questions at the Justice Department.

“So what does checks and balances mean?” Jackson, an appointee of President Barack Obama,asked at one point during the court arguments.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-chides-doj-for-trying-to-block-star-mueller-witness-testimony/ar-AAJESkx?li=BBnb7Kz