DOJ Will Not Prosecute Trump Officials After IG Referred Findings of False Testimony on Census

[Nevilledog]

https://www.govexec.com/management/2021/07/doj-will-not-prosecute-trump-officials-after-ig-referred-findings-false-testimony-census/183843/

The Biden administration has declined to prosecute former Trump administration officials, including former Commerce Department Secretary Wilbur Ross, after an inspector general confirmed they provided false testimony regarding the origins of the proposed citizenship question on the 2020 census.

The Commerce IG launched its probe in 2019, following a request from lawmakers. The investigators did not make their report public, citing Privacy Act concerns, but said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., that Ross and other officials played a “substantive role” in proposing the addition of the citizenship question to the census. The proposal caused significant controversy as critics said it would deter non-citizens from participating in the count at all and it was eventually struck down by the Supreme Court.

Ross twice told Congress the addition of the citizenship question was based solely on a request from the Justice Department, but the IG found Ross “misrepresented the full rationale” behind the decision. Its findings follow publicly disclosed emails that clearly demonstrated the role Ross, the White House and other Commerce officials played well before Justice became involved. The Supreme Court noted the political influence when ordering the removal of the question.

“Evidence shows there were significant communications related to the citizenship question among the then-Secretary, his staff, and other government officials between March 2017 and September 2017, which was well before the DOJ request memorandum,” the IG said. “Evidence also suggests the department requested and played a part in drafting the DOJ memorandum.”

*snip*


🤬

[triron]

1. WTF!? Why the hell not? Garland needs to be fired. Put Sally Yates in.

[padah513]

10. Makes you wonder why it's called the DOJ

Not much justice getting done. Seems like under Garland anything close to trump's inner circle gets a pass. Flynn, Barr, Ross, who's next.

[Goodheart]

12. I have been warned here, and placed on the verge of banishment,

for criticizing Merrick Garland. But I will say it again: the man appears to be an institutionalist whose greatest motivation is "normalcy" rather than accountability. I agree... he needs to be replaced, but that's not going to happen. This is beyond disappointing... it's INFURIATING.

[Thomas Hurt]

2. This will just egg on the christofascists...they got with it once right.

[triron]

4. It's very short-sighted and bottom line, stupid and timid. A la Neville Chamberlain

[jalan48]

3. I'm sure the Republican's will return the favor when they regain power. Right?

[Xoan]

5. Whitewash

[PSPS]

6. Garland strikes again

[triron]

7. No wonder the republicans wanted him over Sally Yates. Biden made a huge mistake.

[The Magistrate]

8. Mr. Garland Needs A Kick In The Ass, Ma'am

There is no excuse for this. Charges should be laid, the miscreants placed under arrest, and haled into court. No argument justifies inaction against Trump officials who defy and deceive a Congress with a Democratic majority.

No worse precedent could be set going in to the Select Committee hearings on the coup attempt.



"Can't nobody here play this game?"

[triron]

9. Wonder what Dr. Timothy Snyder thinks of this?

[mvd]

13. Hi Magistrate

When you say this, I really listen. I know the AG should be independent, but there are some really clear charges needed. I don’t understand what Garland is doing.

[Takket]

11. It's funny when I was young and naive I used to think...

1. Ignoring a congressional subpoena…

And 2. When you do show up, lying…

Would get you in a heap of trouble. Now I know better. Guess if I ever puss of Congress I can just tell them to go fuck themselves.

[lagomorph777]

14. Terrifying.

Garland is protecting Trump. What does Trump have on him?

[Me.]

16. Why Even Bother Having Laws?

oh right, we need them to control minorities, immigrants and low class slubs

[BeyondGeography]

28. Omarosa, eg, not so fortunate as Wilbur

Link to tweet

[uponit7771]

17. "misrepresented the full rationale" it's different than Ross bold face lied which most...

... likely is what's needed for a clean straightforward case of line of Congress

[RockRaven]

18. Exec Branch Repukes break the law because they know there won't be consequences.

Until that changes they will keep doing it.

[Atticus]

19. "We are a nation of laws, not of----------------". Never mind! nt

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

20. WTaF?!!!

[SledDriver]

21. Merrick Garland has failed to take any actions to hold the Trump administration accountable

Merrick Garland’s DOJ is protecting the Trump administration. Why?
Why have all these people who were involved in serious crimes suffered absolutely no meaningful consequences?

One should be highly sceptical of anyone trying to defend the honor of the DOJ right now.

[triron]

23. Garland needs to be removed and someone with balls put in.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

22. Really, How...

Does this keep happening for people in power who commit crimes????

This does not make sense....

[Bettie]

25. Rich people stick together

and thus, there are no laws that actually apply to them.

That's all I've got anymore.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

29. That is the only way this works

and you said it correctly.

We have two sets of justice.

One for people with resources and one for people without.

[triron]

24. knr

[Sur Zobra]

26. Cue the Garland apologists:

He’s not protecting Trumpass officials, he is protecting the institution

[bluestarone]

27. Waiting for an explanation here

I can think of NO reason to NOT investigate and charge these RETHUGS! Hope someone can give us a good reason for this bullshit! I was hoping Garland would get things done right!

[BGBD]

30. Gee......maybe they are

Declining to prosecute because they don't think they have a strong enough case.

Thus place is as nutty as FR sometimes.

[Boomerproud]

31. So infuriating.

I am speechless.

[JanMichael]

32. Imagine...almost a SC Justice. That'd be cool. Nt

[SunImp]

33. Sad

[triron]

34. Rachel covered this tonight. Not sure this report is entirely correct now.

Does anyone have corroboration>

[Celerity]

35. After publication of this story, the Justice Department and Commerce Department inspector general

revealed additional information to indicate the declination to prosecute took place during the Trump administration. This story has been corrected to note this information.


https://www.govexec.com/management/2021/07/doj-will-not-prosecute-trump-officials-after-ig-referred-findings-false-testimony-census/183843/