Fox News Flash top headlines for Nov. 18
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House Democrats have opened an investigation into whether President Trump lied to the Special Counsel’s Office in sworn written answers he provided in Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
The House’s general counsel revealed the probe during oral arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, in a case where Democratic lawmakers are seeking the secret grand jury material from Mueller’s investigation.
TRUMP SAYS HE'LL 'STRONGLY CONSIDER' PELOSI INVITE TO TESTIFY IN IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS
“Did the President lie? Was the President not truthful in his responses to the Mueller investigation?" House attorney Douglas Letter asked, indicating why the House is seeking the grand jury material.
Lawmakers are specifically concerned with whether Trump lied when he said he did not recall speaking with Roger Stone about WikiLeaks. During Stone’s criminal trial, former Trump campaign deputy campaign manager Rick Gates testified that he heard a phone call between Trump and Stone. He testified that after the call, Trump told him that “more information would be coming.” Gates said he believed this referred to WikiLeaks.
Stone was convicted Friday of witness tampering, lying to Congress, and other charges.
Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow dismissed the Democratic efforts in a statement Monday, saying of the president's testimony: "Read the answers to the questions. They speak for themselves.”
Democrats are using this investigation as a reason to get the grand jury material from Mueller’s investigation. They have previously cited their impeachment inquiry as a basis for why the material should be disclosed. Federal rules prohibit the release of grand jury materials except for in certain situations such as judicial proceedings. The House has argued that their investigation of the president falls under that category.
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A lower court decision agreed with the House, but the Court of Appeals Monday floated the idea of stepping out of the process entirely and leaving it for the House and Justice Department to work out among themselves. In such a situation, it would be unlikely that the Justice Department would turn over the information.
Earlier Monday, Trump stated that he would "strongly consider" answering questions in the ongoing impeachment inquiry, pertaining to Democrats' suspicion that he may have used military aid as leverage to get Ukraine to help investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Fox News’ Bill Mears and John Roberts contributed to this report.
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