With Democrats pressing on multiple fronts, from demanding Trump’s tax returns to seeking the testimony of current and former administration officials, some Trump allies see a White House working to buy time.

Administration lawyers have rejected a variety of Democratic requests and subpoenas, taking steps that seem to ensure protracted legal battles, which past presidents have used to run out the clock on their congressional adversaries.

Asked whether Trump could keep his legal blockade up through November of next year, one former senior White House official said: “One and a half to two years is a safe bet.”