White House Remains Coy on Executive Privilege, Starr Probes Clinton and Lewinsky

President Clinton has not officially invoked executive privilege in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, although the White House is preparing to argue that some presidential communications should remain private. Independent counsel Kenneth Starr is investigating allegations of an affair between Clinton and Lewinsky and whether they lied in sworn documents related to the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit. As the investigation unfolds, Clinton's aides are being called to testify before a grand jury, with some, like Sidney Blumenthal, resisting the demand to bring written notes on contacts with reporters. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is reviewing Starr's tactics, and a federal court ruling on a motion to sanction Starr for alleged leaks is pending.

Key Takeaways:

• The White House has not explicitly invoked executive privilege in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but is preparing to argue that some presidential communications should remain private.
• Independent counsel Kenneth Starr is investigating allegations of an affair between President Clinton and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
• Starr is probing claims that Clinton and Lewinsky lied in sworn documents provided to the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit.
• Sidney Blumenthal, a presidential communications adviser, is scheduled to testify before the grand jury on Thursday and has been forced to bring all written notes on contacts with reporters.
• The Justice Department is reviewing Starr's tactics, and a federal court ruling on a motion to sanction Starr for alleged leaks is pending.
• Attorney General Janet Reno cannot interfere in the investigation but has the power to fire Starr for 'cause' in 'extreme' situations.
• The White House is using judicial gag orders to avoid commenting on the scandal, with President Clinton citing a gag order when asked about the Lewinsky affair.

Statistics:

• 10 lower-level administration aides testified before the grand jury on Tuesday.
• 3 high-ranking Clinton aides have gone before U.S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson secretly to object to questioning, including close Clinton confidant and attorney Bruce Lindsey.
• 1 federal court ruling is pending on a motion to sanction Starr for alleged leaks.
• 1 presidential communications adviser, Sidney Blumenthal, is scheduled to testify before the grand jury on Thursday.

Sources:

• United Press International, February 25, 1998
• Washington Post, February 24, 1998
• New York Times, February 23, 1998