President Donald Trump apparently has no intention of backing down when it comes to protesting the ongoing impeachment inquiry.
According to USA Today, the White House is expected to send a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), which could be sent out on Friday, demanding a full House vote authorizing the impeachment inquiry, before cooperating with the investigation.
As the report notes, Democrats have taken issue with Trump’s refusal to comply with subpoenas and provide documents, suggesting that the refusal in and of itself could amount to an impeachable offense.
The letter is expected to double down on a letter sent out earlier this week by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who criticized the “swiftness and recklessness” of the push to impeach.
In his letter, McCarthy asked if Pelosi intended to involve the full House in “each critical step of this inquiry,” and if she intends to “provide the president’s counsel the right to cross-examine witnesses” or “recommend a witness list.”
“By answering ‘no’ to any of the above, you would be acting in direct contradiction to all modern impeachment inquiries of a sitting president,” McCarthy noted.
“Unfortunately, you have given no clear indication as to how your impeachment inquiry will proceed – including whether key historical precedents or basic standards of due process will be observed,” he added.