Reuters: U.S. House could slap $25,000 per day contempt fines on Trump advisers

[babylonsister]

Posted on Fri, May 10th, 2019 by Reuters
U.S. House could slap $25,000 per day contempt fines on Trump advisers


By Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A senior Democratic lawmaker has suggested fines of $25,000 a day for contempt on U.S. officials who stonewall congressional investigations of President Donald Trump and his administration.

Expanding on an idea floated days ago by Democrats as a way of putting some teeth into various inquiries of Trump, his turbulent presidency, his family and his business interests, Representative Adam Schiff spoke in two interviews about reviving the “inherent contempt” power of Congress.

“We would levy fines on those who are not cooperating,” Schiff, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee told Axios in an interview published on Friday.

“You could fine someone $25,000 a day until they comply. You can do that. We’re looking through the history and studying the law to make sure we’re on solid ground,” Schiff said.

Democrats who control the House have confronted the Republican president and his administration for refusing to cooperate with at least six separate investigations. Republicans have accused Democrats of grandstanding for progressive voters, but even the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr.

more...

https://www.politicususa.com/2019/05/10/u-s-house-could-slap-25000-per-day-contempt-fines-on-trump-advisers.html

[PoliticAverse]

1. I am much more interested in what is actually done than what "could" be. n/t

[Fullduplexxx]

3. Or strongly worded letters

[triron]

13. Yep. Don't threaten. Just do it! Damn, get some spine.

[fescuerescue]

2. Could Trump pardon those fines?

I dont know

[SoCalNative]

4. I'm sure that he will offer to pay them

with his billions!

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Pardons I think only applies to federal convictions...these aren't related to convictions but not...

appearing in Congress as demanded. Just guessing.

[manor321]

5. This is fine, but the 'trial' must take place (in the House in this case)

They can't just apply the fine. For inherent contempt they must hold a trial in the full House. The witness has normal rights like challenging witnesses and evidence, etc. It takes time. And I don't know if the House can do much else while the trial is underway. And that is for each defendant.

[blueinredohio]

7. Slap the fine on them.

[brewens]

8. Not a problem. A guy like trump can just tell them all off the record that he will cover all of

those fines. Probably will. Tell them that I mean. I doubt all of them could be stupid enough to believe him.

[emmaverybo]

9. Yeah. He still owes Warren a million dollars. nt

[ffr]

10. Now we're talking!

Do it!

[yaesu]

11. I wonder if those fines are like IRS fines, are owed no matter what, no getting out of them. nt

[leftieNanner]

12. Fine them?

And they will just say NO! Who is going to force them to write a check?

Jail time!

[BlueSpot]

14. And then direct the funds

toward scholarship funds for the children being held in detention camps at the border. Double the burn with no extra effort.