NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is opposing congressional Republicans’ subpoena of President Barack Obama’s political director to testify on Capitol Hill this week.
White House counsel Neil Eggleston said in a letter Monday that the House Oversight Committee’s demand that political director David Simas testify threatens the president’s independence and ability to get candid advice to carry out his constitutional duties.
Eggleston asked Chairman Darrell Issa to lift the subpoena. But Issa’s spokeswoman says Simas currently still is expected to appear at Wednesday’s hearing, which will examine whether the White House political office is an abuse of taxpayer funds.
White House staff is planning to brief Issa Tuesday on the political office’s compliance with the law.
Obama closed the White House political operation in 2011, but reopened the office earlier this year.
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