'That's Not How It Works'

Experts Call Out Don Jr's Bogus Claim of Attorney-Client Privilege

By Jake Johnson, staff writer for Common Dreams

Donald Trump Jr. was interviewed by the members of the House Intelligence Committee behind closed doors on December 6 as part of their Russia probe. 

They couldn't get much out of him, due in part to what critics slammed as his "bogus" assertion of attorney-client privilege.

"I don't believe you can shield communications between individuals merely by having an attorney present That's not the purpose of attorney-client privilege." —Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)

The "privilege" was invoked when lawmakers probed a meeting Trump Jr. held at Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer in June of 2016 after being promised "dirt" on Hillary Clinton.

When asked about a conversation he had with President Donald Trump about the meeting this past summer, Trump Jr. claimed that, because a lawyer was present during their phone call, he did not have to divulge the details.

As legal experts, journalists, and House Democrats were quick to point out, "That's not how it works."

"I don't believe you can shield communications between individuals merely by having an attorney present," argued Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). 

"That's not the purpose of attorney-client privilege."

Schiff added that "discussion revolves around a pivotal meeting" and is "a central issue that we need to fully investigate."

"We will be following up with his counsel," Schiff concluded.

When Trump Jr. wasn't attempting to dodge questions by invoking non-existent privileges, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said he was "pretty non-responsive" and appeared to be hampered by "a very serious case of amnesia," claiming to not recall events that took place in the very recent past.

"He was by his father's side; he was campaigning with his father. And you get the impression in listening to him that he didn’t spend much time talking to his father," Speier added.

"Lots of people don’t recall things. But, I would say that there are elements of this where he was very clear and knew precisely what had happened, and then other circumstances he didn't at all."