White House Uses Shutdown As Cover To Avoid Democratic House Investigations

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 21: Senior advisor to the President Jared Kushner (L) leans in to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump during the signing ceremony for the First Step Act and the Juvenile Justice Reform Ac... WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 21: Senior advisor to the President Jared Kushner (L) leans in to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump during the signing ceremony for the First Step Act and the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in the Oval Office of the White House December 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration is battling on multiple fronts with major developments on U.S. foreign policy in Syria, the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis, a falling stock market, and a potential governmental shutdown at midnight. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Democrats—and some Republicans—suspect that the Trump administration is using shutdown-related delays as excuses to get out of providing documents and records to Democrats launching investigations on various House committees.

According to a Tuesday Politico report, Democrats are quickly tiring of the administration’s general lack of preparation to respond to oversight after two years of protection from a Republican congress.

“We are concerned that the administration is using the shutdown as an excuse to slow roll their responses to our reasonable requests,” a Democratic staffer told Politico. “Congress’ oversight role is crystal clear. Just because the administration is not used to rigorous oversight does not excuse not being prepared for it, even after a shutdown.”

The House Oversight Committee in particular has requested information about payments Trump made to Michael Cohen and about security clearances at the White House—both requests are still unfulfilled.

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