A new campaign finance regulation is raising eyebrows in the legal world due to its potential impact on the ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.
The regulation, dubbed a “gag order,” would make it illegal for certain members of a campaign to disclose information about its finances to third parties, including the media. The rule was proposed by Steven Mnuchin, the Secretary of the Treasury, and if it is passed it will have a direct impact on the current impeachment inquiry.
The gag order is a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and civil liberties advocates because most people consider the inquiry to be a public good. The regulation would obstruct the public’s ability to understand the financial dealings of the Trump campaign and gather key evidence to the impeachment proceedings.
Furthermore, the regulation would put political campaigns at risk of lawsuits from former campaign staffers or financiers who may breach the gag order and disclose details of the campaign’s finances. This could put witnesses in the impeachment inquiry in the difficult position of choosing between breaking the law and providing key evidence or remaining silent.
The gag order could also force nearly impossible decisions upon those running the inquiry. Should they call a witness who is under the gag order, they risk facing charges for contempt of Congress. Alternatively, they could issue a subpoena and risk legal action from the witness should he or she choose to break the gag order and comply.
This looming regulation is a direct attack on the impeachment inquiry and its potential impact should not be underestimated. It could be seen as an attempt by the Trump campaign to suppress the proceedings from the outset and further damage its track record of transparency.
It remains to be seen if the gag order will be passed, but as it stands, it presents a serious impediment to the impeachment inquiry. For now, all that can be done is to Foster an open dialogue and use the knowledge to prepare for any future cases.
