The White House mounted a last-ditch effort Tuesday to prevent former communications director Hope Hicks from speaking with lawmakers, saying she is "absolutely immune" from discussing her time working for President Donald Trump.
According to Axios, White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., to argue against Hicks being compelled to testify as the Democrat-led panel investigates the Trump administration.
"Ms. Hicks is absolutely immune from being compelled to testify before Congress with respect to matters occurring during her service as a senior adviser to the President," reads the letter, which then makes a multi-pronged argument to support the claim.
Among the reasons Cipollone cited is the fact Department of Justice precedent dictates the "president and his immediate advisers" cannot be forced to testify in front of Congress.
Cipollone added later, "the president has directed Ms. Hicks not to answer questions before the committee relating to the time of her service as a senior adviser to the president.
"The long-standing principle of immunity for senior advisers to the president is firmly rooted in the Constitution's separation of powers and protects the core functions of the presidency, and we are adhering to this well-established precedent in order to ensure that future presidents can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Office of the President."
Hicks, who now works as the chief communications officer of Fox, will testify on Capitol Hill behind closed doors Wednesday.
According to Politico, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee will ask her about five specific instances of possible obstruction of justice committed by Trump.