Former White House counsel Don McGahn did not attend his House hearing. The hearing happened anyway.

[pnwmom]

Source: CNN

The House Judiciary Committee gaveled in Tuesday to an empty witness chair for the second time this month after former White House counsel Don McGahn did not appear after he was subpoenaed.

The first witness who did not show for his scheduled hearing, Attorney General William Barr, was later voted by the committee to be held in contempt over not giving Congress the undredacted Mueller report. Now McGahn appears poised to be the next in line for a contempt vote before the committee.

"Our subpoenas are not optional," Nadler said at Tuesday's hearing. "Mr. McGahn has a legal obligation to be here for his scheduled appearance. If he does not immediately correct his mistake, this committee will have no choice but to enforce the subpoena against him."

Nadler told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Monday evening that if McGahn didn't appear, "the first thing we're going to have to do is hold McGahn in contempt."


Read more: https://cnn.it/2HGj6al

[DUgosh]

1. What does " contempt " encompass

What is the legal remedy, is it enforceable and swift?

[groundloop]

2. At the moment, apparently, 'contempt' means nothing more than no dessert before bedtime tonight

I'm anxiously awaiting the instant when Barr goes to jail. Those bastards are simply thumbing their noses at the House, there apparently are no consequences for ignoring legal subpoenas.

[Perseus]

18. Correct, they need to impeach Barr

Barr has to go, he has fulfilled all GOP expectations of corruption and more, I hope he has nightmares at night, although I doubt it...the criminal mind works in mysterious ways.

[Me.]

3. Hold Him In Contempt

and then send the Marshals. Lock HIM Up.

[awesomerwb1]

4. For crying out loud Nadler.

It's obvious he's aware he would be held in contempt. Now what? Another letter posted on Twitter?

[California_Republic]

8. Maybe a sternly written email?

[MontanaMama]

5. It certainly is optional to choose not to appear.

Especially if there are no consequences for ignoring a congressional subpoena. Lock him up Jerry!

[rdking647]

6. lock him up and start fining hom

and revoke his license to practice law

[RainCaster]

11. This!!

[keopeli]

7. From what they have done, Dems have no desire to enforce the law, but are very good at whining to

an empty chair. Without jail, the Congress is no longer valid. Dems will be the ones who lost our democracy, because they refused to do their duty to us and to their oath. We are watching the end of the American Experiment. I'm heartbroken.

I trusted the Democrats, but they have failed. There is no other way to see this turn of events.

If they wanted to, they could immediately refer for contempt, jail and fine these lawbreakers. Instead, they bloviate. I'm tired of listening to Nadler complain. He's useless. Pelosi is useless.

Despair is giving way to grief. At long last, all hope is lost.

[pazzyanne]

9. Words fail me!

I fail to understand the purpose of your post. Would you please enlighten me? I want to understand where you are coming from with your take on Democrats. Most of us have not given up and are continuing the fight. I encourage you to join us.

[pazzyanne]

24. I recognize the truth!

I just have a different way of reacting to that truth. I choose not to be a "doom and gloom" reactor, but have always embraced active resistance. I have found that to be an effective response my entire life. I have actively taken part in civil and women's rights for many years. I have been an active participator in politics and political movements. Never have I found doom and gloom to be effective motivators.

[pnwmom]

36. No, they are following the steps a judge will expect to see when they ask the judge

to enforce the subpoena.

And McGahn isn't Barr, the head of the DOJ. McGahn isn't even employed by the DOJ. McGahn will be forced to testify.

[mcar]

12. Hmm, I heard something very similar

just after Nadler spoke.

[mopinko]

15. go have a good cry. we'll wait.

let us know when you are ready to get back in the fight.

[PSPS]

17. LOL. "get back in the fight"

We'll all be quite happy to receive the news that you've enforced the subpoena for Nadler. "We'll wait." Not to be snarky at you personally, but this "get back in the fight" kind of saying, made by many and not just you, bemuses and confuses me. None of us has any power to do anything about this and I'm as frustrated as anyone (you included, I'm sure!)

[prodigitalson]

28. The empty chair makes the Dems look weak

Now if by this time next week they have enforced a subpoena on McGann and he is then sitting their it's all theatrics while the White House wields all power (more and more daily)

[LanternWaste]

38. It does not make the Dems look weak. It does however, make Trump look petulant.

See? Just like you I made an allegation and provided zero evidence to support any of it.

You and I write bumper stickers and t-shirt slogans. No more, no less.

[prodigitalson]

39. It makes him look way more dangerous than the

word 'petulent.' This is about raw political power and how it relates to the balance of such between our branches of government.

[PSPS]

13. LOL. "Our subpoenas are not optional." Seriously? Are you high or something?

[muntrv]

14. At least withhold funding of Barr's salary if not arrest him.

[PSPS]

19. Barr's not in this for the money!

[beachbum bob]

20. ...what comes after contempt citation, Nader? Another strongly worded letter?

Time to take your duty seriously.

[cstanleytech]

21. The Democrats are doing this to clearly show the

Anerican people that the claims that the Repugnants have used of being the Constitutional party are a lie and it's a good strategy as far as giving them a chance to win more seats down the road.
Unfortunately though it does take awhile unlike holding impeachment hearings.

[beachbum bob]

25. No excuse in foot dragging after contempt of congress citation, appears

Democratic leadership is wavering. Barr should have articles of impeachment being undertaken at this point based on obstruction as established by refusing their subpoena. timid actions inspire more outlandish behavior by trump admin.

Time to do their duty.

[patphil]

22. Unfortunately the Justice Department doesn't work for the nation any more

It works for Trump.
This really limits the ability of Congress to follow through when a person is held in contempt of either the House or Senate.
The Justice Department under Barr isn't going to do their job and carry the ball forward when a contempt of Congress citation is issued.

The House would have to go to the courts to get an enforceable ruling. If the court rules in the House's favor and the individual or whatever still doesn't comply, then the court could find the person, or whatever in contempt. This is a verdict of law, and doesn't need the Justice Department's assistance.

It is beginning to look more and more like a formal impeachment hearing is needed.
I believe it's coming, but only after the House does due diligence by using normal procedures to get information, or have witnesses' testify. And, of course, the president and his people are determined to block this at any price.
It's all the Republicans have left. They are pretty much daring the Democrats to put up or shut up.

I think we are, perhaps, a month or so away from formal impeachment hearings.
The Republicans won't have it any other way.

Patrick Phillips

[FreepFryer]

23. Interesting who chooses to turn this important development into yet another BS attack on Democrats.

We see you.

Thanks for the post, pnwmom!

[Firestorm49]

26. Republicans are spitting on us.

These flagrant demonstrations of open defiance by Republicans should not go unpunished. Many of the rest of us who are not lawyers, have expressed enflamed opinions based in many cases on anger alone.

Stonewalling? My ass! It’s defiance of our guiding principles, or so I believe, since I’m not a Rhodes scholar.

So while many of us seem vitriolic, it’s because we are angry and are letting our frustrations fly - some based more on emotion than fact. Sorry if this is hard to accept.

[louis-t]

29. Let's see how long these assholes are willing to

take the fall for orange marmaloser.

[watoos]

30. McGahn wasn't about to show up,

he is working for a high class Republican law firm now.

[Martin Eden]

31. Frog march him to the witness stand, if necessary.

Same goes for Barr, and for Trump.

[Rabrrrrrr]

32. I was found in contempt of court once, and was arrested within the hour.

I had jury duty that morning but was sick and overslept, and was just calling the courthouse to let them know that I overslept when the sheriff showed up - the judge had a last-straw moment that morning after years of no-shows, and decided to have everyone arrested who didn't show up. All we got was a very stern and frustrated lecture from the judge because he dropped all the charges against us, but still, how come Republicans can be held in contempt but pay no penalty?

Goddamit, dems, GROW A FUCKING SPINE FOR ONCE! Put out warrants within minutes of their show-up time.

Democratic non-leadership is one big reason why the GOP does the shit it does - they know they won't be held accountable.

What the fuck is it with dems? I know we prefer to play fair, follow the law, and be nicey nicey and give multiple chances, but how many decades of abuse do we have to tolerate before someone plays hardball? Which isn't even hardball, really - it's just following the law.

FUCK!

Makes me so angry.

[D00ver]

33. Seems odd

Just an observation. There seems to be two “types” here... the sky is falling, and the bluest of blue Dems.

The reality to me is. If there is no punishment for not following the law. There is no reason to follow them.

Democrats, while being measured, are actually encouraging people not to follow the law.

These people took an oath of office. If they do not follow the law, they are in contempt. Contempt should actually mean something. It’s time to stop shooting across the bow and start arresting and fining people until they comply or until this Congress is no longer in session.

Frankly, Dems are setting themselves up for another drubbing in 2020. If they think wishy washy and sending letters is going to make people come out and vote. They are wrong.

[DeminPennswoods]

34. Dems will go to court and like the subpoena to Mazars,

a judge is going to rule expeditiously and order McGahn to appear. If he doesn't, then he is ignoring a court order which is enforceable with real jail time. And McGahn ain't going to sit in a jail cell or risk disbarment for Trump.

[Historic NY]

35. A black surburban with 2 US Marshals outside his house would help...

get to the hearing. I wish they just do and, you know Republicans would.

[csziggy]

37. For those complaining the the Democrats are not doing enough - read this thread

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212114595#post2

I went to Post #2 since that has the unrolled Twitter thread in it.

The point is, that the Democrats HAVE to go through the steps not only to follow procedure, but to establish that they have done everything to allow the persons who have received subpoenas to re-consider their actions.