A former deputy to then-national security director John Bolton is expected to testify Monday in the House’s impeachment inquiry into President Trump — one of a host of high-level intelligence and diplomatic officials to appear on Capitol Hill.
Charles Kupperman has been subpoenaed to testify behind closed doors to lawmakers on the three House panels leading the probe — Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight.
While some of the officials have shown up after receiving subpoenas, Kupperman’s appearance is in question because he filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday asking for a ruling on whether he should assert “immunity from congressional process” as the White House claims.
In the suit, Kupperman argues that he is unable to “satisfy the competing demands of both the legislative and executive branches.”
On Saturday, the heads of the three committees wrote to Kupperman that his lawsuit lacks merit and warned that he could be cited for contempt if he doesn’t abide by the subpoena.
Kupperman, who left the White House days after Bolton, took part in the July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to begin an investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
The House is looking into whether Trump abused his office by holding up nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelensky.
Others who have testified include Fiona Hill, a former National Security Council official who oversaw Russia and Europe policies; Bill Taylor, the acting ambassador to Ukraine; and Gordon Sundland, the ambassador to the European Union.
With Post wires
