Democrats want to talk to Mr. Kline about how Mr. Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, got his security clearance, despite concerns raised by career security officials about possible foreign influence. The committee has also been examining whether a whistle-blower who brought information to Congress about the clearances granted to Mr. Kushner and others had suffered retaliation. The White House instructed Mr. Kline not to comply with the summons on the grounds that the Oversight Committee would not allow a representative of the White House to sit in on the deposition. The White House did not assert executive privilege in instructing Mr. Kline not to appear. Mr. Cummings said the action amounted to an attempt at stonewalling by the White House.

Source: New York Times April 23, 2019 19:41 UTC