When Democrats launched a full-fledged impeachment inquiry centering on President Donald Trump’s Ukraine scandal, the White House and the administration had one primary tactical response: obstruct. If the administration could block Congress from obtaining the information about the president’s efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden, it seemed to believe, the air could be sucked out of the Democrats’ sails.
This strategy was reflected in Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s letter to Congress, calling lawmakers’ request to depose officials “an attempt to intimidate, bully, & treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State.” He added: “I will not tolerate such tactics, and I will use all means at my disposal to prevent and expose any attempts to intimidate the dedicated professionals whom I am proud to lead and serve alongside at the Department of State.”
But as the House of Representatives barrels forward with the inquiry, the strategy of obstruction is falling apart.