U.S. broadcasting chief defies congressional subpoena, skips hearing

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's appointee as head of U.S. government broadcasting operations failed to appear at a House of Representatives hearing on Thursday, defying a committee subpoena amid concern over editorial independence at the agency.

A series of firings shortly after Michael Pack took over as head of the agency overseeing Voice of America and other state-run media around the world raised concern from both Democrats and Trump's fellow Republicans about traditionally independent U.S. outlets.

Among other actions, Pack, a conservative filmmaker, removed the heads of four organizations under the Agency for Global Media (AGM) umbrella: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Network and the Open Technology Fund. He also replaced the services' bipartisan boards, mostly with political appointees.

Lawmakers from both parties criticized Pack's decisions at a hearing where former AGM officials described "dire events" at the agency. "I'm worried about the credibility and the goodwill of our networks being destroyed," said Grant Turner, former AGM chief financial officer, who has worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-broadcasting-chief-defies-congressional-151756316.html

Lock him up!!!!!

[msongs]

1. why not defy a subpoena nobody is going to actual enforce. nt

[gratuitous]

2. At this point . . .

Considering the administration's ongoing refusal to cooperate with Congress, I think it's fair to simply impute the most dishonest and crooked motives for anything any administration appointee does. If they don't like it, they should honor their subpoenas and appear before the committee. Failure to do so should be treated as a carte blanche for Congress to say whatever it damn well pleases about asswipes like Michael Pack.

[ace3csusm]

3. Until they hold someone accountable

this will continue to happen their are no consequences...

[belpejic]

4. Failure to appear should be punishable by hefty

Fines and prison time. Apart from emergencies, no ifs, ands, or buts.

[ace3csusm]

5. they just need to send the marshalls 1 time

peoples attitudes will change ... I guess Law and order doesnt apply to republicans

[maxrandb]

6. Congress needs to hold him in inherent contempt

send the House Sargent at Arms to retrieve him, and throw him into a House broom closet until he appears before the committee.