Don McGahn

The much-anticipated ruling could have implications for other key witnesses, such as former national security adviser John Bolton, who has refused to testify until a federal court weighs in.

The chamber sidestepped what might have been an even uglier showdown with the executive branch but opened the door to years of litigation over Russia, taxes, security clearances and more.

Pat Cipollone, the current White House counsel, says the documents "remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles."

There were some directives the president attempted to make of his staffers or other government officials that might have breached the obstruction of justice threshold had they not stood up to him.