Less than 24 hours after being sworn in, the newly appointed Attorney General Todd Blanche supported a new interpretation of legal protection for President Donald Trump, which could expand the scope of executive privilege.
In a memorandum published Monday evening, just hours after Blanche‘s swearing-in ceremony, the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice stated that the president could extend executive privilege to confidential communications with his “private advisors” if it pertains to presidential “decision-making”. The memorandum also appears to extend executive privilege to communications between the president’s “immediate advisors” and civilians.
Possible consequences for investigations
If Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections, this memorandum could have serious consequences for potential investigations into the president and other high-ranking officials of the administration. According to the author of the material, the Trump administration is thus preparing to counter possible congressional requests.
This move by Blanche could draw criticism from Republicans who voted for his confirmation, particularly Senators Billy Cassidy, John Cornyn, and Thom Tillis. They supported his candidacy after promises to limit the scope of another type of presidential immunity.
In a statement Tuesday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the memorandum shows that Trump “is scared of the questions that a Democrat-controlled Congress will demand answers to”.
Source: The New Republic
