DEMS/ELECTION/LEGAL/ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump’s pick to fill the job of White House counsel is an indication the White House is preparing for possible post-election legal brawls with Democrats over everything from the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation to possible impeachment if Democrats take over the House of Representatives. Pat Cipollone is taking over an office formerly led by Don McGahn, whose last day at the White House was Wednesday. While McGahn was planning on leaving the White House, his departure was expedited by Trump’s Tuesday [10-16-18] announcement of Cipollone’s appointment. Should Democrats take over the House, the President’s lawyers expect a flood of new oversight investigations of executive branch agencies, which the GOP-controlled Congress has largely avoided. Democrats are also expected to try to get access to materials from the Mueller investigation, which the President’s lawyers argue should be protected by executive privilege. The President and his lawyers have also raised the likelihood of an impeachment battle, even though Democratic leaders have tried to avoid discussing the issue.”
-Evan Perez, “With new counsel on board, White House braces for post-election fights,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, October 17, 2018 8:30 pm