Appeals court deals blow to Democrats’ pursuit of McGahn testimony

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A federal appeals court in Washington on Monday dismissed a Democratic-led House committee lawsuit for the testimony of former White House counsel Don McGahn, finding the lawmakers lack legal grounds to enforce their subpoena in court.

The 2-1 ruling by a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals was the latest setback for Democrats in their yearlong court battle over a subpoena issued to McGahn in April of last year.

The full D.C. Circuit ruled just three weeks ago in the case that the House has standing to sue to enforce its subpoena. But the panel ruled Monday that the lawmakers still lack a valid legal claim to make in court since Congress never authorized the House to bring such lawsuits. Continue reading.