House Democrats are giving themselves the tools they need to really investigate Donald Trump—and to produce a full accounting of Trump’s Russia connections if his attorney general covers up special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report. Democrats have changed a rule to allow staff of investigative committees like Oversight, Intelligence, and Judiciary to depose witnesses without a lawmaker present, making it easier to question people who are low-profile or far-flung but may have important information.
According to a former associate counsel to President Barack Obama, this means House Democrats can subpoena and depose all of Mueller’s witnesses:
“So now a subpoena for a deposition can be conducted by staff,” he said. “More depositions in shorter time and fewer steps between request and contempt.”
And every part of that may be necessary as Republicans keep working to protect Trump.