President Trump told The Washington Post Tuesday he's against White House aides — past and present — testifying before congressional panels following the Mueller report findings.
There is no reason to go any further, and especially in Congress where it’s very partisan — obviously very partisan."
Why it matters: Trump's comments indicate a further escalation in the White House's power struggle with House Democrats, who've stepped up investigations into his administration.
The big picture: The Trump administration has taken several steps to block oversight by House Democrats this week.
- Earlier Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin informed House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) the department would decide by May 6 whether to release Trump's tax returns to Congress — effectively ignoring Neal's April 23 deadline.
- On Monday, the president and the Trump Organization sued House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings in an attempt to block Cummings' subpoena of Trump's longtime accountant, Mazars USA LLP.
- Also on Monday, the White House directed former security clearance official Carl Kline not to comply with an Oversight subpoena. Cummings is moving to hold Kline in contempt of Congress.
- And the administration plans on fighting a House Judiciary subpoena of former White House counsel Don McGahn.
