Angry House Committee Slaps Bannon With Subpoena

Steve Bannon appeared before the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday—and was slapped with a subpoena after refusing to answer questions about his time on President Trump's transition team or his stint in the West Wing. Sources tell Politico that the former White House strategist was subpoenaed on the spot after angering lawmakers from both parties with his stonewalling. "We're going to get answers from Mr. Bannon," said Texas Rep. Mike Conaway, the Republican overseeing the committee's investigation of alleged Russian election meddling. "Only Steve Bannon could unite this committee," said Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley. Ranking Democrat Adam Schiff said Bannon's attorney told the panel that the White House had ordered Bannon not to respond, the Washington Post reports

"This was effectively a gag order by the White House," Schiff said, adding that the "scope of this assertion of privilege, if that’s what it is, is breathtaking"—and "obviously, it can't stand." He said Bannon will be called before the committee a second time. The AP reports that White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said "no one" had encouraged Bannon not to answer questions, but she added that in "congressional inquiries touching upon the White House, Congress must consult with the White House prior to obtaining confidential material." Bannon has also been subpoenaed by Robert Mueller, and Axios reports that the White House has placed no restrictions on that testimony and that Bannon intends to fully cooperate with Mueller. (More Steve Bannon stories.)