A US House panel, who is investigating alleged abuse of power by United States President Donald Trump and obstruction of justice, has sought many documents from 81 groups and people.
According to BBC news reports, the House judiciary committee has released the inquiry on Monday with naming Trump’s aides and his campaign, as well as members of his family and business etc.
Among those who had received requests from the House panel are the FBI, Trump’s son, the Trump organization and WikiLeaks. The development comes after the panel’s chairman said it was very “clear” that Trump broke the law.
But Chairman Jerry Nadler told ABC News it was too early to discuss removing the president from office.
Trump has dismissed Nadler’s investigation as a “political hoax”, adding: “I co-operate all the time with everybody.”
Nadler said it is the “obligations” of the US Congress to “provide a check on abuse of power” by the White House. He added, “Over the last several years, President Trump has evaded accountability for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical, and constitutional rules and norms.”
He continued, “This is a critical time for our nation, and we have a responsibility to investigate these matters and hold hearings for the public to have all the facts. That is exactly what we intend to do.”
In a statement on Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, “The House Judiciary Committee’s letter has been received by the White House,” adding, “The counsel’s office and relevant White House officials will review it and respond at the appropriate time.”
However, Sanders did not disclose names of any officials who have received a request from the Democratic-led panel.
House Judiciary Committee told reporters documents request was sent to 81 entities and people. If they do not comply with the next few weeks, subpoenas will be issued.
However, the White House has launched a scathing attack on Democrats for launching a “disgraceful” investigation into alleged abuse of power and obstruction of justice by Trump and his aides.
A White House spokesperson said the Democrats were “harassing” the US president Trump. She said, “Their intimidation and abuse of American citizens is shameful. Democrats are harassing the president to distract from their radical agenda of making America a socialist country, killing babies after they’re born, and pushing a ‘green new deal’ that would destroy jobs and bankrupt America.”
In a statement, Sanders said: “Today, Chairman Nadler opened up a disgraceful and abusive investigation into tired, false allegations already investigated by the special counsel and committees in both chambers of Congress.”
“Chairman Nadler and his fellow Democrats have embarked on this fishing expedition because they are terrified that their two-year false narrative of ‘Russia collusion’ is crumbling.”
She added, “The American people deserve a Congress that works with the president to address serious issues like immigration, healthcare, and infrastructure.”
Currently, more than five panels are probing into alleged attempts of Russia in meddling the US 2016 presidential election campaign, Trump’s tax return and possible conflict of interest involving Trump’s family.
Those inquiries are in addition to the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller