Re: Laura Cooper hiring private legal counsel to testify on Hill re aid to Ukraine, "She hired private counsel almost immediately." DoD counsel was barred from deposition, according to senior defense official.
DoD has ordered documents preserved in wake of impeachment inquiry subpoena but awaiting decision by WH Counsel as to which documents fall under "Executive privilege." "Executive privilege is for White House to assert," sr defense official tells Pentagon reporters.
DoD legal counsel will defer to White House legal counsel on issues of executive privilege in determining which documents related to Ukraine weapons freeze to share with House Oversight panels impeachment investigation.
In January 2019 House barred agency (DoD, State, CIA) counsels from appearing with government employees during depositions, according to senior US defense official.
