Bannon's subpoena snub sets up big decision for Biden DOJ

[PoliticAverse]

Former Trump White House strategist Stephen Bannon’s choice to buck a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol could tee up a big decision for a Justice Department determined to strike an independent tone.

The House committee has said it may refer Bannon for criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice (DOJ) if he doesn’t appear for a deposition slated for Thursday.

Such a move would place Attorney General Merrick Garland in the center of a debate over whether to go after a former right-hand man of Donald Trump after vowing to restore the reputation of a department that was deeply politicized under the prior administration.

“That’s going to be something that will be considered at the highest levels at DOJ, and what they're going to consider with any referral like that is how strong of a case is it, and even if it’s readily provable — how important is it that we do this?” said Mark Osler, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches law at the University of St. Thomas.

Read the rest at: https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/576256-bannons-subpoena-snub-sets-up-big-decision-for-biden-doj?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=43216

[Walleye]

1. If Bannon isn't indicted it proves the DOJ is still awfully politicized

[BeerBarrelPolka]

4. Absolutely

There's no question about it. Let the spin doctors prepare for surgery.

[spanone]

2. There should only be one decision and it's simple. Show up or go to jail.

[Celerity]

26. +1

[triron]

35. Yep. All the other discussion is so much mumbo jumbo. Attempt to muddy the water.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

3. I was

I was subpoenaed as a witness in a criminal trial (RICO). I cannot imagine what would have happened to me if I didn't show up. I wasn't even called to testify as it turned out. This DOJ thing is absolutely shocking to me that people may be able to just snub their noses.

[FarPoint]

5. We all here know what must be done....

We have lived with gross disappointment time and time again....so, I just won't get my hopes up.....Who will be our Jon Snow?

[NoMoreRepugs]

6. ".... how important is it that we do this?"

To me it’s critical to the continued existence of our Democracy. If there are no consequences to fostering revolution why bother with any laws at all?

[Irish_Dem]

7. It should not be a big decision. Should be obvious and easy.

Not looking good if this is how they feel.

[Midnight Writer]

8. DOJ needs to simply follow the law.

Is the subpoena lawful?

Is Bannon defying it?

Is it DOJ's jurisdiction to enforce a Congressional subpoena?

If the answers are yes, then the DOJ should act, swiftly, without fear or favor.

[JHB]

9. It seems to me that any "debate" is not "whether to go after" Bannon but...

Last edited Tue Oct 12, 2021, 10:44 AM - Edit history (1)

...whether to NOT go after him. Because not going after him means that congressional subpoenas are toothless and worthless. Choosing to not go after him means choosing to disempower Congress.

[Miguelito Loveless]

10. If Bannon is arrested by the end of this week they win

It is that simple.

[Botany]

11. On 1/6/21 Trump was told he was breaking the law by the White House Counsel

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215943782

Steve Bannon supported those actions and he should not be considered or treated like he is "above the law."

This is a stern test for America's Constitutional Democracy in the form of a simple question are we governed
by the rule of law yes or no?

[randr]

12. Remember Susan McDougal?

18 months in prison for the very same thing.
Susan Carol McDougal is one of the many people prosecuted as a result of the Whitewater controversy. Her refusal to answer "three questions" for a grand jury, on whether President Bill Clinton lied in his testimony during her Whitewater trial, led her to receive a jail sentence of 18 months for contempt of court

[The Wizard]

14. The big difference is

the Trump crime family committed real crimes against the nation, and some of these crimes carry serious prison time or worse.

[randr]

18. difference between a blow job and treason

And a BJ is not illegal

[The Wizard]

13. If arresting criminals offends Trump's cult

and the government fails to act because of a perceived reaction from the cult, then our democracy is dead and Putin is running our government. Trump and his crime family need a public horse whipping.

[bluestarone]

15. I feel there is just too much at stake here

If the DOJ. does NOT get involved, this country could go down the tube! THEY have to go after Bannon!

[rso]

16. Bannon

Skip the DOJ altogether, go directly to the House’s “Inherent Contempt” authority, it’s much faster and it places the burden of going to Court to appeal not on democrats, but on Bannon and fellow seditionists.

[LiberalLovinLug]

17. the GOP is laughing its collective ass off at Democrats

They got us at every turn. They know we are suckers for "fair and balanced". That becuase so much has been taken away from us, we cling to our self imposed unilateral principles as a kind of badge of honor. As the one last thing that separates the parties. No matter the cost. Oblivious to the changing world around us, and the fact that turning the other cheek just won't be respected as much as it used to.

I understand that war between the parties is not the best thing for the country. But one side has already declared it, and has been fighting it already for years. And had great victories like the SCOTUS. When anything goes including stabbing in the back, you can move pretty fast.

I don't think the Democrats have been as reactive as they should be to this attempted slow coup, after the first one failed. This Garland DOJ doesn't want to bother one of the architects of a future Fascist takeover because they think, not only Republicans, but the "moderate" voter will get upset? WTF!

They have already been implementing this "strategy" of not disturbing the apple cart IMO by not being nearly as dire and forceful about this litany of abuse of power and snubbing at the law by their "colleagues" as they should be. This drive towards Fascism.

Democrats should have been already looking like maniacs on the MSM news. I want to hear reactions from the MSM on how the Democrats are looking like fools and are overreacting. Then I want Democrats to double down and look even more upset and dire on their next visit. Until the MSM finally decides they have to begrudgingly accept that Democrats are actually worried about the future of democracy existing in the USA. Its not just a political talking point.

Republicans do this kind of doom and gloom panic about FAKE concerns like voter fraud in their voters. I don't think we are communicating how doom and gloom it is actually becoming. And we fail to see how the behaviours of those in authority can affect average citizens opinions. Look how many Rs believe the election was stolen. They are always one step ahead. They've already implanted the concept that IF Republicans lose, it will be fraud....again!

Just considering NOT doing anything about enforcing the subpoena already sends out a signal of weakness, not just the laughing GOP, but to the voters. I'll never get why Democrats in charge do not understand how, even if they lose some votes from R leaning independents, they will solidify and gain more votes if they portray themselves defenders of democracy. Now they come off as merely complainers who hold their breath, but eventually just walk away with no back up plan, let alone a threat of a back up plan.

[ecstatic]

20. +1000. Nobody fears Democrats. Notice how officials like Comey

kneel before rethugs but don't take Democratic investigations seriously.

[BlueIdaho]

19. No big decision...

Follow the law and stop playing patty cake with political terrorists. If the DOJ can’t get this done, it needs new leadership.

[ananda]

21. Sets up big decision? What's to decide!!??

He's breaking the law. Arrest his ass.

[malaise]

22. Contrary to the ReTHUG media agenda this is not a big decision

It is the fucking rule of law

[jalan48]

23. It's Merrick time!

[JanMichael]

33. You can't touch this

You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
My, my, my, my
(Merrick)
The law hits him so hard
Makes him say "Oh, my Lord
Thank you for dissing me
With a mind to time and two hyped left feet"
It feels good when you know you're down
A super dope homeboy from the Chi-town
And he's known as such
And this is a measured decision, uh, you can't touch
He told us, homeboy
You can't touch this
Yeah, that's how we lawyerin', and ya know
You can't touch this
Look in his eyes, man
You can't touch this
Yo, let him bust the funky laws
You can't touch this
Fresh new suit and pants
You got it like that
Now you know you wanna do something
So, move outta your appointed seat
And catch a fly with your teeth
And catch this beat
While it's rolling, rolling, rolling, sooo slow
Hold on
Pump a little bit and Trump know it's going on
Like that, like that?
Cold on a mission, like calamari, so fall on back
Let 'em know that you're much too you
And this is a charge, uh, they can't touch
Da da da di da....

[sarcasmo]

24. Criminal referral is the only decision.

[Captain Zero]

36. Could Congress advertise for a bounty hunter?

Texas does.

[Jose Garcia]

25. The DOJ may be worried about setting a precedent

If the GOP controls the House in 2023, would the DOJ prosecute Hunter Biden if he ducked a subpoena?

[ecstatic]

34. Exactly. nt

[JHB]

38. Why would Hunter Biden be ducking subpeonas? And why would that be ok?

[kentuck]

37. BS article.

It's not even close to "politicizing" the DOJ like the Trump DOJ did. He is defying a subpoena. He has no legitimate claim for executive privilege. Haul his ass in!

It is so nonsensical.

I hope Merrick Garland does not think like the author of this article.

[SouthernDem4ever]

39. The DOJ will be responsible for aiding and abetting insurrectionists

This is about protecting our democracy, not politicizing. Holy shit! I can't believe we are having this debate.

[Roy Rolling]

40. 9:01

9:00–Bannon scheduled for deposition and doesn’t show up

9:01–Bannon is handcuffed, taken into custody and forced to testify.

[lame54]

42. Arrest him while he's on the air

[PoliticAverse]

43. There'd be several steps...

Following the refusal of a witness to produce documents or to testify, the committee is entitled to report a resolution of contempt to its parent chamber. A Committee may also cite a person for contempt but not immediately report the resolution to the floor. In the case of subcommittees, they report the resolution of contempt to the full Committee, which then has the option of rejecting it, accepting it but not reporting it to the floor, or accepting it and reporting it to the floor of the chamber for action. On the floor of the House or the Senate, the reported resolution is considered privileged and, if the resolution of contempt is passed...

Following a contempt citation, the presiding officer of the chamber is instructed to refer the matter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; according to the law it is the duty of the U.S. Attorney to refer the matter to a grand jury for action.

(From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress )

If it gets to the grand jury point Bannon's lawyers will challenge it over the executive privilege claim which will cause the matter to be delayed until the courts decide.

[lame54]

41. That decision should have been made previously...

To issuing the subpeonas

[Sabuca]

44. An arrest will send a message

About election lies.

[DFW]

45. Bring him in handcuffs

Let his lawyer sort it out, but no bail until he has been questioned.

[kentuck]

46. Exactly!

Steve Bannon is not Donald Trump. The Cult only cares about Trump - they don't care about these bit players. Lock him up!

[ancianita]

47. "Big decision"?? Unenforced law is no law at all.