Atticus (6,178 posts)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212469558
There should be handcuffs.
Another morning has begun with a media review of all the Republicans who will be saying "**** you!" to the House, the Democratic party and several centuries of legal precedent.
"Subpoena" means---literally---"under penalty". If a subpoena is not quashed but is simply defied, there is supposed to be a penalty. A common way for a court to enforce their subpoena is to issue a "Rule to Show Cause". The person is given a short date and time at which he or she is to appear in court and explain why he or she should not be held in contempt of court. If no good cause is shown, the person may be found in contempt and fined or even held in custody until they comply with the subpoena.
If the person fails to appear when ordered, a warrant for their arrest is usually issued.
Those who fail to appear in response to the House subpoenas and those who refuse to answer questions even after appearing should be arrested---as publicly as possible.
People have begun to question whether our party has the strength to lead. Their concern is that if twerps like Lewandowski can flip us off in public and walk away smirking, how can we be expected to deal with true monsters like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un--- and Trump.
We ignore this concern at our peril.
[D]s 'We should be allowed to force the prisoner to tell the court what we want them to say!' [/D]
Atticus (6,178 posts)
4. The DOJ is one of three possible "enforcers". The courts can also be used and this slow methodical
remedy is, so far, the one chosen by the House. But, the House also has the INHERENT authority to enforce their subpoenas. I understand it has not been used for over a century, but I'm saying it is time to dust it off
I believe there is a actually a basement room in the Capitol for holding arrestees.
If Lewandowski claims some fictional privilege today, he should not go home.
NewJeffCT (53,732 posts)
7. Inherent Contempt was last used in the 1930s, I believe
but, was used somewhat regularly before that. Since that time, it's always gone to DOJ
triron (14,334 posts)
18. Probably because most of the time the DOJ has acted. Now the DOJ flips off the House.
wait for it...
NewJeffCT (53,732 posts)
19. Sadly the Trump/Barr DOJ will cite Holder and Lerner as precedents under Obama for DOJ not enforcing subpoenas.
Star Member rainy (5,383 posts)
30. I was thinking the same thing. Wouldn't it be all hell breaking loose if Nadler just had Lewandowski arrested! Of course the media would talk on and on over how the Democrats have overreached, are hurting their campaigns etc etc. Have to protect the big advertisers and donors for the Republicans.
But, we who are the many, would be dancing in the streets, they are the few!!! We have reached the critical mass and their days are numbered!
Go ahead and fire that shot at Sumter
It worked so well for you the last time...
bucolic_frolic (12,980 posts)
5. There may be intermediate steps
US Marshalls, Capitol Police, court orders ... Barr would have to fly in the face of that plus public opinion plus the House Judiciary Committee. Not to say he won't do it, but it's not a simple once and done.
Star Member lunatica (43,511 posts)
40. Perhaps Barr's defiance would precipitate an immediate impeachment process
If the Democrats take on the obvious defiance of people that blatantly ignore subpoenas they would win our respect, which is really teetering on its last leg right now. Win or lose they would be fighting the righteous battle. You can’t always wait for a sure win in order to fight for a vitally important thing.
ANOTHER Impeachment...
Kid Berwyn (1,147 posts)
2. Time to defund the Executive.
Power of the Purse and all that.
Way past time, IMFO.
oh... by the way... Trump's rich.
yaesu (2,004 posts)
16. we need to do this and more, we should not be working with the fascists on anything
even if it means shutting the government and military down until we get cooperation with the investigation. There will be pain but by doing nothing we are setting ourselves up for much more pain down the road.
world wide wally (16,346 posts)
3. When we completely lose the rule law... We have lost America.
You cannot play a game without rules.
Impossible
Star Member joshdawg (1,810 posts)
10. Why play by the rules?
republicans haven't played by the rules for decades. If they can......and still...get away with breaking all the rules, why can't the Democrats?
just askin'
excuse the syntax.
Star Member Bayard (5,554 posts)
12. Lock them UP!
That's what happens to your regular citizen. This above-the-law shit has got to stop. It makes the House look weak to not enforce the law. This is one thing they CAN control.
yaesu (2,004 posts)
17. and while the fascists get away with crippling our party we continue to work with them on
legislation that makes tRump look good like the 300 billion stimulus and budgets.
Star Member kacekwl (3,367 posts)
23. I don't care about Holder or anyone else.
That was then this is now . Enforce the laws damn it. This is getting so old already. That's what happens when you let criminals like Bush / Cheney / Rice etc. Kill thousands and the go home put their feet up and relax with a drink every day.
matt819 (7,733 posts)
21. Agreed
Every single one of them, from the Acting DNI on down.
Every. Single. One.
brutus smith (238 posts)
24. This is what the Dems should do
Lock up those refusing to testify and let it play out in the courts. They will remain in jail until there is decision by the courts.
shanti (19,596 posts)
34. Throw him in jail!
and don't let him out until he squeals. There has to be an example made.
Star Member GulfCoast66 (7,515 posts)
45. Lock him up? I know we are all frustrated. But lock him up? Who and where?
The dungeon in the basement of the house? Held by Nader and the House Sargent at Arms?
And using a sketchy power that has not been used more than a few times in our history. The last time like 100 years ago?
Take him to a federal detention facility? The ones run by the DOJ? Laughable.
And we would quickly lose in the courts and look not only stupid. More harmful is we would be seen acting outside of the Norms of the American political tradition. And yeah, I know the republicans are doing just that. And that is a big part of our appeal to independents.
The last thing you want to do when showing the other party is acting outside of the norms, which we are doing, is to then do the exact same thing.
Like impeachment, some kind of kangaroo court ‘arrest’ would do way more harm to our success in 2020 than just proceeding as we are. And all those screaming for arrest would be a bursting a blood vessels when it comes to naught and the person walks out free a right wing martyr.
