A day after Steve Bannon’s lawyer told the House Jan. 6 committee that his client will defy its subpoena, the committee published a bristling statement vowing to consider referring uncooperative witnesses for criminal contempt of Congress.
a bristling statement vowing to consider referring uncooperative witnesses for criminal contempt of Congress
Yeah, that should scare him up real good. A vow to consider doing something. Very impressive.
the committee published a bristling statement vowing to consider referring uncooperative witnesses for criminal contempt of Congress
I think it’s time for more than a sternly worded letter. Just arrest the traitorous bastard
Threatens ?
How about do it !
Can we be rid of this cancerous boil already?
I say, “Do and don’t talk.”
on that score, Bill Palmer says:
Yes, the committee’s press release says that it will “swiftly consider” the criminal referral against Bannon, and yes, a number of media pundits are insisting that this wording means nothing will be done. But they know that’s a bunch of crap. As Palmer Report has pointed out numerous times, phrases like “swiftly consider” are politician-speak for “we have absolutely already decided to do this.”
Good to see Congress has a sense of humor. “Executive privilege” is a lift for Bannon. Joe Biden is president, and assuming some sort of retroactive EP, Bannon was not an employee of Trump at the time of the insurrection. Indeed, he was installed with the Trump Team by Robert Mercer, when it appeared Trump needed a push to win the 2016 election. In any case, Bannon’s excuse for not cooperating is as novel as it is bad. Lock him up.
If and when the committee makes the criminal referrals, DoJ will have to decide whether to enforce them. That ultimately is an oval office call.
on that particular topic, Palmer says:
Keep in mind that Steve Bannon isn’t defying this subpoena because he thinks he can get away with ignoring it. He’s doing this because he’s currently under confirmed criminal investigation in New York State, and because he fully expects that the DOJ’s January 6th criminal probe will find its way to him, and he’s afraid that he’ll further incriminate himself if he testifies to Congress in the meantime. He’s got no good options, and he’s choosing what he thinks is the least bad option for himself. But even he can’t possibly be under the impression that he’s going to “get away” with anything. In the real world, that’s simply not how anything works.
Jail will be “cruel and unusual” punishment for him. Having to shower every week! The horror!
Congress is really becoming a useless tool of Democracy.
Betwee Gerrymandering in the House-
and half the Senate able to represent 35% of the populace -
might have worked with thirteen states -
but it’s become a farce and a perilous joke.
What have I missed? What is he being investigated for in the State of New York?
Nevermind - looked it up. I had forgotten all about the switch over to a state investigation after he was pardoned.
I don’t think being a federal employee has any bearing on whether executive privilege applies.
Plus they won’t let him wear four jumpsuits at the same time.
The committee ends in January 2023 with all its materials and records being placed under seal by the newly elected GQP congress.
Until the Jan 6 Committee actually follows through with their threats, I’m just viewing this as them holding up a fist and saying, “Why I outta” and nothing more.
In the end, Bannon will refuse to show and the committee will move on and later state that they have all the testimony they need so pursuing Bannon is unnecessary.
He’ll make a media circus out of his arrest. Would be nice if they didn’t cover it.
“While Mr. Meadows and Mr. Patel are, so far, engaging with the Select Committee…”
I suspect the wailing from Palm Beach is well underway.
100%
Or, hear me out, that’s how it works all day every day.