Pence, Giuliani will not cooperate in U.S. House impeachment inquiry

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani said on Tuesday they will not cooperate with a U.S. House of Representatives impeachment inquiry into Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival.

The counsel for Pence sent a letter to the chairmen of the House committees investigating Trump and Ukraine, informing them that he will not cooperate with a request for documents in their "self-proclaimed" impeachment inquiry.

"We are prepared to work with you in a manner consistent with well-established bipartisan constitutional protections and a respect for the separation of powers. Until that time, the Office of the Vice President will continue to reserve all rights and privileges that may apply," the letter said.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence arrives at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Pence's lawyer, Matthew E. Morgan, cited the White House's response, saying the House had not voted to authorize the inquiry. Democratic leaders have said no vote is necessary.

The decision to defy congressional subpoenas opens the two men to possible contempt of Congress charges and illustrates Republican Trump's determination to stonewall the Democratic-led impeachment effort, which threatens to consume his presidency.

Timeline: Key events in the Trump-Biden-Ukraine controversy

Lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks to the Organization of Iranian American Communities during their march to urge "recognition of the Iranian people's right for regime change," outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York, September 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

Lawmakers were hearing closed-door testimony on Tuesday from a senior U.S. diplomat, George Kent, who is one of several officials involved in the Ukrainian matter who have complied with congressional subpoenas.

Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, on Friday accused the Trump administration in testimony of recalling her in May based on false claims.

The investigation is focused on the July call in which Trump pressed Zelensky to have Ukraine officials investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden, who had been on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.