1/19/2018

LEGAL/STEVE BANNON/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The White House move this week to limit Steve Bannon’s congressional testimony while permitting a current administration official to speak freely reveals how precisely it is controlling what is shared with lawmakers.
The White House told Bannon not to answer questions about his time working on the presidential transition and as chief strategist when he appeared before lawmakers Tuesday [1-23-18] because President Donald Trump may later assert executive privilege, according to a terse letter written by Bannon’s attorney.
White House aide Rick Dearborn, meanwhile, answered all the lawmakers’ questions — including during the transition and about his time as deputy chief of staff to the President. The distinction has some members wondering whether Bannon has information that could be damaging to Trump.
The distinction was not lost on Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee who noted the difference between Bannon’s and Dearborn’s interviews…
Anticipating that the White House may attempt to limit testimony from Hope Hicks, a close adviser to Trump who has been by his side since the campaign, the House Intelligence Committee abruptly delayed her appearance scheduled for Friday, four sources told CNN.”

-Kara Scannell and Manu Raju, “2 different White House approaches to Russia testimony leave lawmakers scratching their heads,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, Jan. 19, 2018 05:47pm