Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, left, leaves a House Intelligence Committee meeting where he was interviewed behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's White House is relying on a sweeping interpretation of executive privilege that is rankling members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.
The contention espoused by top White House officials? Pretty much everything is off limits until the president says it's not.
The argument was laid bare this week during former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon's closed-door interview with the House Intelligence Committee as part of its Russia probe.
As lawmakers probed Bannon's time working for Trump, his attorney got on the phone with the White House counsel's office, relaying questions and asking what Bannon could tell Congress. The answer was a broad one. Bannon couldn't discuss anything to do with his work on the presidential transition or later in the White House itself.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, second from left, is escorted from a House Intelligence Committee meeting where he was interviewed behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, left, leaves a House Intelligence Committee meeting where he was interviewed behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee's Russia investigation, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, following the committee's interview with former White House strategist Steve Bannon. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The Associated Press
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon leaves a House Intelligence Committee meeting where he was interviewed behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, center, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, where his is expected to be interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee regarding the Russia probe. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The Associated Press
Rick Dearborn, President Donald Trump's White House deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs, walks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, where he is being interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee regarding the Russia probe. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The Associated Press
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., walks to the House Intelligence Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
The Associated Press