A Manhattan federal judge suggested President Trump’s commerce secretary start clearing room in his calendar to be probed about why he wants to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.
Judge Jesse Furman said Secretary Wilbur Ross would be wise to “block out a day now” in case he is ordered to be deposed in the case, which accuses Ross and the Commerce Department of “discriminatory animus” in seeking to ask about citizenship in the next Census.
The judge said he would decide whether Ross should sit for questioning by the end of next week. He also set a trial date of Nov. 5.
Government lawyers said they will battle any order calling for Ross’ testimony by going to the appeals court for an emergency restraining order.