White House Communications Director Hope Hicks was expected to testify before the House Intelligence Committee Friday, but the committee delayed her appearance due to concerns over what questions she would be allowed to answer.
CNN:
The surprise move came after Steve Bannon refused to answer scores of questions about topics during the transition and his time as President Donald Trump's chief strategist, with Bannon's attorney saying he had been instructed by the White House not to answer those questions over concerns that it could breach executive privilege.
Hicks' appearance Friday was anticipated given her close ties to Trump, which predate the campaign, and the central role she has played through the election season and in the White House.
The committee made the decision to delay Hicks' appearance in order to give investigators time to sort out with the White House what she could and could not discuss, one of the sources said. She is still expected to speak with the panel at a later date.
Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), the committee's top Democrat, says the White House's weighing in on Hicks' possible testimony is "part of a pattern to derail the probe."
"Following Mr. Lewandowski's testimony and refusal to answer questions, the administration canceled entirely an interview scheduled for Friday with another key witness in our investigation," Schiff said. "If that interview has been rescheduled, the date has not yet been shared with the minority."
House Intel delays Hope Hicks interview in Russia investigation (CNN)