Open Government

For John, BLUF:  The rules of conduct the Democratic House Managers are setting for elected officials seem pretty high.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

Congress:  Attorney General Lynch ‘Pleads Fifth’ on Secret Iran ‘Ransom’ Payments

Here is the sub-headline:

Obama admin blocking congressional probe into cash payments to Iran

FRom The Washington Free Beacon, by Reporter Adam Kredo, 28 October 2016.  (Three and a half years ago.)

Here is the lede plus two:

Attorney General Loretta Lynch is declining to comply with an investigation by leading members of Congress about the Obama administration's secret efforts to send Iran $1.7 billion in cash earlier this year, prompting accusations that Lynch has "pleaded the Fifth" Amendment to avoid incriminating herself over these payments, according to lawmakers and communications exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) and Rep. Mike Pompeo (R., Kan.) initially presented Lynch in October with a series of questions about how the cash payment to Iran was approved and delivered.

In an Oct. 24 response, Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik responded on Lynch's behalf, refusing to answer the questions and informing the lawmakers that they are barred from publicly disclosing any details about the cash payment, which was bound up in a ransom deal aimed at freeing several American hostages from Iran.

I look forward to our new future, when Administration personnel conduct full and open relations with the US Congress, and visa-versa.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff