This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
On November 26, 2019, Judge Jackson's ruling on executive privilege may have significant implications for John Bolton's potential testimony in the impeachment inquiry. However, according to Bolton's lawyer, Mr. Cooper, the ruling will not lead to Bolton's testimony soon.
Mr. Bolton has been a key figure in the impeachment inquiry, having had direct access to President Trump and being personally involved in many of the events, meetings, and conversations about which the House has already received testimony.
Despite the White House's efforts to block testimony from former aides, House Democrats plan to use this as evidence in an article of impeachment alleging obstruction of Congress. They anticipate a final House vote on impeachment by the end of the year.
Even if Bolton and other witnesses like Rudolph W. Giuliani and Mick Mulvaney do not comply with subpoenas before the House vote, they could still be called as witnesses in a Senate trial. Some lawyers suggest that the House members acting as prosecutors in a Senate trial could ask Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to summon key witnesses, including Bolton.
