Will Manafort claim the Fifth Amendment? Where does this leave Donald Jr.? – Newsweek
This article first appeared on the Just Security site.
On Monday night, the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to compel Paul Manafort, the former chairman of the Trump presidential campaign, to testify at a public hearing on Wednesday.
The subpoena came as a surprise because just days earlier, Manafort and Donald Trump Jr. had reached a deal with the panel where they would provide records and be interviewed privately (versus in open session) in order to avoid being subponeaed at that time.
Daily Emails and Alerts - Get the best of Newsweek delivered to your inbox
Paul Manafort, former Trump's campaign manager, at the Mayflower Hotel April 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
According to the statement from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein, negotiations with Manafort broke down over who in Congress would be able to access his transcribed interview:
Mr. Manafort, through his attorney, said that he would be willing to provide only a single transcribed interview to Congress, which would not be available to the Judiciary Committee members or staff. While the Judiciary Committee was willing to cooperate on equal terms with any other committee to accommodate Mr. Manaforts request, ultimately that was not possible.
To better understand this latest development, I turned to Andy Wright, Just Security s in-house expert on congressional investigations, to help explain it.
Manafort made demands that the committee, and likely the broader Congress, could not accept.
The committee wanted to get a transcribed interview of Manafort and Trump, Jr. before any subsequent public hearing. Sen. Grassley, as committee chair, had threatened to issue subpoenas for a public hearing, and used that leverage to obtain agreements to voluntarily appear for transcribed interviews.
However, unlike a hearing under subpoena compulsion, someone who voluntarily appears can seek to extract some procedural concessions from the investigating committee. For example, witnesses might seek commitments on the duration, format, legal representation, and transcript access (so the witness can review for error).
Once negotiations broke down, the committee reverted to its compulsory subpoena power.
First, Manafort wanted to do only one transcribed interview before all of Congress.
From his perspective, one interview minimizes the risk that differences in his answers, whether semantic or material, would be used as a perjury trap.
However, its a terrible deal for Congress. A single shot would mean that other committees, including the Senate Intelligence Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the House Oversight Committee would all have to rely on the Senate Judiciarys single transcript.
More important, they would have had to rely on Senate Judiciarys questions. Other committees have different jurisdictions, different interests, and different memberships that may want to take questioning in other directions. Also, it might risk losing the opportunity to get Manafort on the record about facts we learn later.
It appears from the statement that the Senate Judiciary Committee was open to trying to play the pool reporter role for the other committees. I cant imagine any other committee would agree without being able to participate in the questions, and Senate Judiciary has no authority to extinguish other committees interests, especially in the House.
Perhaps Senate leadership could engage in deconfliction, but the House has its own prerogatives and constitutional role.
Second, Manafort sought to get an agreement that Grassley and Feinstein would restrict committee staff and member access to the interview transcript. That was a bridge too far. The transcript would then be of little utility to the investigators. Im not convinced that the committees or Senates rules would allow restrictions on Member access to non-classified materials, especially other committee members.
Confining Manaforts interview transcript within one committee would significantly hamper Congresss investigations.
Committees have different jurisdictions, interests, and agendas. For example, the Senate Intelligence Committee has interests in counterintelligence and Russian election interference. They have access to intelligence products that the Senate Judiciary Members do not.
Naturally, Senate Intelligence will have different questions for Manafort than Senate Judiciary. And those questions are critical to the overall inquiry.
Adding to the confusion, Manafort met with the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday.
It is not unusual for witnesses to make requests that their transcripts, or certain topics covered, be kept confidential by a congressional committee. However, Congress almost never agrees. The problem here isnt that Manafort made the request, but that his legal team believed it was gettable.
Under both House and Senate rules, congressional subpoenas can command two things: production of documents and appearance to testify at a formal hearing or deposition. The rules do not permit compelled transcribed interviews.
That is why Congress uses its subpoena power threat, which raises the specter of public shaming, to extract agreements to sit for nonpublic transcribed interviews. That was the process here, but it apparently went off the rails.
Those negotiations would be separate, although Im sure his legal team is acutely monitoring these developments. We still dont know the terms of Trump, Jr.s interview.
If they dont strike a last-minute bargain, Manafort will need to appear at the hearing ready to testify on Wednesday. If he does not show, the Committee could find him in contempt.
I would not be surprised if Manafort pleads the Fifth at this point. However, given his meeting with the Senate Intelligence Committee, Manafort may have waived the Fifth at this point.
If he does show and testify, I anticipate he will get extremely rough treatment by members of both parties.
Kate Brannen is the deputy managing editor of Just Security and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council.
Andy Wright is a professor at Savannah Law School and former Associate Counsel to the President in the White House Counsels Office.
Continue reading here:
Will Manafort claim the Fifth Amendment? Where does this leave Donald Jr.? - Newsweek
- Fauci refuses Senate appearance after invoking Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in COVID probe - Fox News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Trump sued on First and Fifth Amendment grounds over paid Truth Social access - Scripps News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment over 100 times at Senate hearing - newuniversity.org - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Fauci walks away when pressed on Fifth Amendment, pandemic regrets - New York Post - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Pat McAfee pokes fun at Anthony Fauci pleading the Fifth Amendment live on ESPN - Fox News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Here's how many times Trump invoked Fifth Amendment in civil fraud trial, according to a judge - Snopes - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment at Senate hearing on COVID-19 pandemic origins - Scripps News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- What It Means to Plead the Fifth Amendment - Time Magazine - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Aaron Rodgers calls Fauci coward, criminal for invoking the Fifth Amendment - WJTV - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment More Than 100 Times in Bitter Senate Hearing - The New York Times - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- In the News: Mark Osler on Anthony Faucis Fifth Amendment Claim - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Dr. Fauci invokes his Fifth Amendment right not to testify at Senate hearing - NBC News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment and declines to testify in Republican-led COVID-19 Senate hearing - Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - Live 5 News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- CBS News | Legal Analysis on Whether Dr. Anthony Fauci Can Be Punished for Invoking Fifth Amendment - Loyola Marymount University - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- The scope of Faucis Fifth Amendment invocation may have to be settled in court - MS NOW - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Hawley trolls Fauci's blanket Fifth Amendment claims exposing 'contempt for this body' - Fox News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WDAM-TV - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes fifth amendment and declines to testify in Senate Covid hearing - The Guardian - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WTVM.com - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Dr. Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in heated COVID-19 hearing - WTAE - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Faucis legal protection from pardon, Fifth Amendment is an open question - The Hill - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Anthony Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment in Rand Paul Senate Hearing NPR - Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WBKO - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Washington Post. . Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing Wednesday where Republicans pressed the retired... - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Dr. Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment at Senate hearing on COVID pandemic - CBS News - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - fox8live.com - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WCTV - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - KEYC News Now - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WEEK | 25 News Now - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci Threatened With Contempt Of Congress After Invoking Fifth Amendment - Forbes - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - Cleveland 19 News - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - ABC7 WWSB - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WSAW - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WCAX - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WSFA - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment at fiery Senate hearing on Covid-19 - Financial Times - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WTHI-TV - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - KOLN | Nebraska Local News, Weather, Sports | Lincoln, NE - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment over 100 times - CNN - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WPTA | 21Alive | Fort Wayne, IN - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WVLT - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - wflx.com - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - KOLD - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Opinion | Why I will use my Fifth Amendment rights before Congress today - The Washington Post - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue C.E.O. Invokes Fifth Amendment Repeatedly in Testimony to Congress - The New York Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue CEO invokes Fifth Amendment repeatedly in testimony to Congress - The Seattle Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue CEO Will Invoke Fifth Amendment At Congressional Hearing - Campaigns & Elections - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue CEO invokes Fifth Amendment in House hearing over illegal foreign donations - Fox Business - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- 'Okay, wow, didn't expect that one': Rep. Loudermilk stunned by ActBlue CEO's Fifth Amendment answer - The Economic Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Urban Outfitters Inc Enters Into Fifth Amendment To Credit Agreement On May 19, 2026 - TradingView - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Principals who invoked their Fifth Amendment rights during CRCT investigation identified - Albany Herald - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- User Clip: Clip: Use of the Fifth Amendment - C-SPAN - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Is the Twenty-fifth Amendment Really an Option? - The New Yorker - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Does the Fifth Amendment Protect You From Turning Over Documents (with Tiffany H. Eggers) - Dykema - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- We have the Twenty-Fifth Amendment. Now is the time to use it. - lawdork.com - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- Herald Tribune Events - The Fifth Amendment - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- A full and perfect equivalent : Just Compensation and the Fifth Amendment - Pacific Legal Foundation - February 22nd, 2026 [February 22nd, 2026]
- Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the House Oversight Committee's deposition. - Facebook - February 14th, 2026 [February 14th, 2026]
- Elie Honig Explains How Maxwell May Have Inadvertently Waived Her Fifth Amendment Protection - AOL.com - February 14th, 2026 [February 14th, 2026]
- Epstein invoked the Fifth Amendment for nearly every question during his depositions. If he had nothing to hide, why stay silent? He used the same... - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Jeffrey Epstein Associate: Why is Ghislaine Maxwell Invoking the Fifth Amendment in a Congressional Probe? - The Sunday Guardian - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Maxwell invokes the Fifth Amendment at closed virtual House Oversight deposition - Rural Radio Network - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Ghislaine Maxwell expected to invoke Fifth Amendment in congressional deposition - Washington Examiner - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell cowardly pleads the Fifth Amendment during deposition - Sky News Australia - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Fifth Amendment to Agreement for Browns Mills Shopping Center Redevelopment OKd, Enabling Parties to Pursue Closing of Tract - Pine Barrens Tribune - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- More Historical Evidence Showing that the Public Use Clause of the Fifth Amendment Does Not Allow Takings that Transfer Property to Private Parties -... - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- Government Notifies CGST (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2025; Inserts Rule 31D on Retail Sale PriceBased Valuation and Adds New Clause (f) in Rule 86B,... - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- The fifth amendment: A path back to the people? - The Jakarta Post - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Evertec Inc - On Nov 25, Enters Into Fifth Amendment To Credit Agreement - SEC Filing - TradingView - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Brooklyn mom of missing 11-year-old autistic boy invokes Fifth Amendment in Family Court - New York Daily News - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Stepmother Cites Fifth Amendment, Says FBI Probe Could Target Minor in Teen Cruise Ship Mystery Death - LAmag - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Officer invokes Fifth Amendment in trial of former SAPD officers - WOAI - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- BREAKING: Appellate Court finds one of Patrick Tate Adamiaks convictions violated Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment - Second Amendment... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Ligado and the Fifth Amendment Fight Over Spectrum Rights - The National Interest - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Key witness invoked the Fifth Amendment in Akron murder trial. Should he have testified? - Akron Beacon Journal - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Actions of federal government are upending the due process of the Fifth Amendment [letter] - LancasterOnline - August 24th, 2025 [August 24th, 2025]
- WATCH: Second Biden official invokes the Fifth Amendment during House deposition - InsideNoVa.com - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Biden officials are hiding behind Fifth Amendment to avoid incrimination, congressman says - MSN - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Another Biden aide invokes Fifth Amendment in deposition before House panel - Rural Radio Network - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]