House Republicans are seething at a tight-lipped Steve Bannon, who stonewalled the House's Russia investigation by refusing to answer questions about his work during the presidential transition, Politico reported.
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, threatened Wednesday to support a contempt citation for Bannon after he evaded the topic on Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. elections while appearing before the House Intelligence Committee.
King said, per Politico, he had "contempt for Bannon anyway." Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, told committee members their inquiry was merely an effort "to decertify the last election," Rep. Tom Rooney said, according to Politico.
Bannon's refusal to answer an array of questions about Trump's election campaign and his time in the White House infuriated both sides of the aisle and raised questions about White House claims of executive privilege to restrict information, The Associated Press reported.
CNN reported Bannon's attorney took several breaks during the six-hour testimony to consult telephonically with the White House counsel's office about what Bannon could and could not speak about, with one source familiar with proceedings stating "all shots were called by the White House."
Rep. Adam Schiff, the committee's top Democrat, said Bannon was expected to return for more questioning, adding his refusal to answer the questions would not stand, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Congress had to consult with the White House before obtaining confidential material, noting "this is part of a judicially recognized process that goes back decades," the news organization said.
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