WASHINGTON — Sally Yates, the former acting attorney general, will appear before a public Senate Judiciary subcommittee meeting next month in an ever-widening congressional probe into Russian interference in the presidential election.
Yates, who was fired in January?for failing to enforce President Trump’s travel ban, is expected to be questioned May 8 about tipping off the White House about former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s ties to Russia.
Yates originally was scheduled to appear before the House Intelligence Committee in March, but the hearing was suddenly canceled by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.). Shortly thereafter, Nunes stepped down as committee chairman amid criticism of his close ties to the White House.
Trying to regroup with new leadership, the House Intelligence Committee has scheduled a private, closed-door hearing with Yates on May 2, with a public hearing to be rescheduled at a later time.
Meanwhile, the Russia investigation continues in the Senate Intelligence Committee, but at a pace so slow, it has frustrated Democrats.
A fourth committee is now looking into Flynn’s foreign contacts. Lawmakers from the House Oversight Committee are reviewing classified documents Tuesday on whether Flynn disclosed payments from foreign governments on his security clearance.
Flynn was ousted as national security adviser for lying about his contacts with Russian officials that caused Vice President Mike Pence to misrepresent Flynn’s activity to the media. Yates gave warnings to the White House counsel about Flynn’s conversations before she was forced out.
Yates’ public appearance will be before the smaller Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, headed by Sen. Lindsey Graham. The panel has been pushing forward with its investigation largely free from political drama.
Yates will testify with James Clapper, former director of national intelligence.