Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday declined to elaborate on what conversations he may have had with the White House about adding a Census citizenship question — beyond detailing his previously-known spring 2017 phone call with then-Trump advisor Steve Bannon. House Oversight Democrats sought to grill Ross on any White House conversations, given that his testimony in front of Congress last year suggested he had none.
At Thursday’s hearing, Ross said that any hypothetical White House discussions beyond the Bannon call are confidential and he is not authorized to disclose them. He also said the previous testimony referred only to an Trump campaign fundraising email that referenced the Census citizenship issue.
The Commerce Department revealed the Bannon phone call in a court document last year following Ross’ initial congressional testimony. Ross on Thursday said the phone conversation was “brief,” and merely a request from Bannon that the Commerce Secretary speak to then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach about something Kobach wanted to add to the census.
But rather than deny that other conversations with the White House occurred, Ross referenced a list filed in court of the other people he spoke to about the citizenship question. The list included names of Justice Department officials, as well as an official at the Department of Homeland Security.
Ross emphasized that his White House conversations were confidential.
He used the same excuse when asked about a phone call he had in 2017 with then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
“My conversations with the Attorney General are confidential,” Ross said, while claiming, “I have been told by counsel that it would not be appropriate for me to answer that question.”
“won’t disclose”… “declines to elaborate”. All nice ways to say, “dodged answers”, “evaded questions” and “obstructed justice by refusing to answer questions”…
WTF?? Fuck these people. Answer the goddamned questions or be in contempt of Congress. That’s my simple opinion. It’s gloves off time for these rotten bastards.
HE isn’t called there to dance around questions, he’s there to give answers to an oversight inquiry. This isn’t ‘pick and choose’, this is YOU ARE A PUBLIC FUCKING SERVANT and you will answer our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE’S GODDAMNED QUESTIONS…!!!
Who the fuck does he think he is?
A person working for an insane monster.
ETTD.
The only way forward is complete dis-entanglement. Ross is not anywhere near that.
Isn’t his presence there for the sole purpose of answering the questions of the committee? Is anyone suggesting he be held in contempt?
IANAL, but I’ve repeatedly heard it stated that either the WH asserts privilege, or you are required to answer.
Legal minds here want to comment?
FTFY…