In the middle of the release of the Mueller report, as American voters wait to see what the consequences of the many shady and corrupt acts laid out in the report will be, other investigations continue. Trump’s inaugural committee, his business dealings, the campaign finance violations he illegally committed and failed to report, and allegations of tax evasion are ongoing in the House of Representatives.
Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly threatens to jail Trump officials who won't comply with subpoenas https://t.co/WyKWM32AOp pic.twitter.com/JTqrPEkLfB
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 26, 2019
Once the Mueller report was completed, Trump decided he would invoke “executive privilege” in ways that don’t apply and his aides are refusing to cooperate with subpoenas issued by the House in those investigations. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) appeared on CNN to discuss the reaction to those subpoenas and promised that the House would pursue all of its powers under the law to enforce them, up to and including with arrests and jail time.
‘Rep. Gerry Connolly threatened jail time for White House officials who are declining to comply with congressional committees’ efforts to conduct oversight of President Donald Trump’s administration. It’s the latest salvo in the escalating battle between the White House and congressional Democrats, who have scaled up their oversight requests following the conclusion of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.’
Giuliani tells @swin24 of Democratic subpoenas: "Why would you voluntarily cooperate with your enemies who have already announced that you’re guilty?" https://t.co/8WEirE7cwE
— Justin Miller (@justinjm1) April 26, 2019
Connolly said that Trump’s outright refusal to comply is outside of his presidential powers. While Trump insists that the Mueller report is completed and aides have given all the information, documents, and testimony that investigators need, these investigations are unrelated to the Mueller report. Trump’s lawlessness will not go unchecked.
‘We will use any and all power in our command to make sure it’s backed up — whether that’s a contempt citation, whether that’s going to court and getting that citation enforced, whether it’s fines, whether it’s possible incarceration. We will go to the max to enforce the constitutional role of the legislative branch of government.’
As President Trump employs a stonewalling strategy, is it politically wise for House Democrats to continue attempts to enforce subpoenas?
"This … isn't about the polls or the politics," @RepSylviaGarcia says. "It's about the Constitution."https://t.co/ne4FkgqITu pic.twitter.com/iG6MBzL0BD
— CNN (@CNN) April 26, 2019
Trump declared that he’s no longer accountable to Congress and shouldn’t have to submit to any check and balance of his executive power because Democrats don’t like him. Fortunately for the American people, that’s not how this works.
‘We’re fighting all the subpoenas. These aren’t like impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020. They’re not going to win with the people I see and they’re not going to win against me.’
BREAKING: Rep. @GerryConnolly told Wolf Blitzer "we're going to resist, and if a subpoena is issued and you're told you must testify, we will back that up."
Send a list of Trump's impeachable offenses to Congress here: https://t.co/MqMFGyXc5thttps://t.co/nX9K89pW0J
— Democratic Coalition (@TheDemCoalition) April 26, 2019
At this point, aides are refusing information involving the addition of a citizenship question on the 2020 census, which is unrelated to the investigation into Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Trump himself on allegations that they colluded with Russia to interfere in the democratic process and that Trump himself repeatedly tried to obstruct justice in that investigation. Trump is simply digging in his heels to refuse the orders of a lawful subpoena.
‘Three officials have refused to comply with congressional requests to testify at the administration’s urging, ratcheting up the long-brewing battle with House Democrats ready and willing to take their multi-front investigations to the courts.’
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license