Subpoenaed ex-FBI lawyer Lisa Page was a no-show in Congress. So too, Fox News notes, was Taylor Swift.
By Wednesday evening, House Republicans were threatening to hold former FBI lawyer Lisa Page in contempt of Congress for failing to show up to an interview with the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, despite a subpoena. President Trump, apparently watching Fox News in Brussels, noticed, tweeting: "As I head out to a very important NATO meeting, I see that FBI Lover/Agent Lisa Page is dodging a Subpoena & is refusing to show up and testify. ... Where is the Attorney General? @FoxNews."
On Fox News, House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said he and his colleagues had given Page two new options to comply with the subpoena: Testify publicly Thursday alongside former FBI special agent Peter Strzok, with whom she exchanged texts critical of Trump, or appear for a closed-door interview by Friday.
Page's lawyer said her client was more than willing to cooperate but "simply needs clarification of the scope of the committee's interest in interviewing her and access to relevant documents so that she can provide complete and accurate testimony." The top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Jarrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), called the GOP's contempt threat a "charade," and former FBI official Josh Campbell told CNN that "the idea that Lisa Page has something to hide is laughable, because Congress has already released her personal text messages for all the world to see."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Page wasn't the only woman who disappointed Congress on Thursday, Fox News reports — Taylor Swift was a no-show, too. "Swift was in town for a pair of concerts this week," including a Wednesday night show just blocks from the Capitol, and "it's not clear exactly what spark lit the fuse Wednesday," but rumors of Swift appearing on the Hill spread like wildfire, causing mass hysteria among otherwise serious people. "Until Page does come to Capitol Hill, she and Taylor Swift will have at least one thing in common," Fox News notes.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Europe's all-inclusive holiday trend
The Week Recommends Big US chains are capitalising on the 'recent surge' in package breaks to bring upscale resorts to Europe
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Why is recasting so difficult?
In The Spotlight Switching much-loved characters can cause confusion – and spark a backlash
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Diamonds could be a brilliant climate solution
Under the radar A girl and the climate's best friend
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published