Giuliani refuses to comply with congressional subpoena, calls inquiry 'a joke'
President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani said Tuesday he is refusing to comply with a subpoena from Congress.
Giuliani, who was subpoenaed for documents related to his communications with Ukraine as part of the House's impeachment inquiry, told ABC News he won't provide them.
"If they enforce it then we will see what happens," Giuliani said of the subpoena. He also revealed to ABC News that he is no longer being represented by attorney Jon Sale, whose hiring he announced two weeks ago. Sale told BuzzFeed News' Zoe Tillman he was always planning to only help Giuliani respond to this subpoena.
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.
Tuesday was the deadline for Giuliani to comply with the subpoena. In a letter late last month, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), and House Oversight Committee Chair Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) cited the whistleblower complaint alleging Trump abused his power in an attempt to get Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, as well as Giuliani having admitted he asked Ukraine to do so.
"I consider their inquiry to be a joke," Giuliani told The New York Daily News Tuesday, calling it an "an abomination of due process."
Sale in a letter to Congress says Giuliani "will not participate because this appears to be an unconstitutional, baseless, and illegitimate 'impeachment inquiry'" and because the subpoena is "overbroad, unduly burdensome" and seeks documents that are "protected by attorney-client, attorney work-product, and executive privileges."
CNN reports people close to Giuliani have been urging him to hire a criminal lawyer, but Giuliani, in reference to no longer being represented by Sale, told the Daily News it's "silly to have a lawyer when I don't need one."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published