Watchdog: Ross misled on reason for citizenship question

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Tue Jul 20, 2021, 12:00 AM - Edit history (2)

Source: Associated Press

MIKE SCHNEIDER,
Associated Press
July 19, 2021
Updated: July 19, 2021 12:32 p.m.

President Donald Trump's commerce secretary misled Congress about why he sought to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, according to an investigation from the Office of Inspector General, but Trump's Justice Department decided not to prosecute.

The watchdog agency's probe showed that Wilbur Ross misrepresented the reason for adding a citizenship question to the census questionnaire during two appearances before House committees in March 2018, according to a letter sent last week to congressional leaders by Inspector General Peggy Gustafson.

It is a federal crime to make false statements before Congress. The results of the inspector general's investigation were presented to the Justice Department during Trump's administration, but department attorneys declined prosecution in January 2020.

The Department of Justice on Monday declined to comment. No one answered the phone Monday at a Palm Beach, Florida number listed for Ross nor responded to an emailed inquiry.

The Supreme Court eventually blocked adding the query ahead of the 2020 census, but critics say that by pursuing the citizenship question, the Trump administration sought to suppress participation by noncitizens and minorities in the nation's once-a-decade head count.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Watchdog-Ross-misled-on-reason-for-citizenship-16324124.php

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The original post was edited to show the corrected information.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Wilbur Ross is a beaut

I recall his name from the Nightly Business Report in the 1980s. Paul Kangas would mention him often, as if viewers were supposed to know who he was because he was someone important. But he turned out to be just a Greedfather.

[czarjak]

2. Ya think?

[bluestarone]

3. Misled? Misled?

They try to make it sound so unimportant! HE frickin LIED!!! He should be in jail!

[Kid Berwyn]

4. Well, "Forgive and Forget" is our motto.

“Benghazi!” is theirs.

[reACTIONary]

15. It wasn't us....

This story has been corrected to reflect that the decision not to prosecute Ross was made by the Department of Justice during the Trump administration, not the Biden administration.

[Kid Berwyn]

20. Thank you.

I’ll sleep better tonight knowing the truth, no thanks to Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions, the big toilet guy, and all the rest heading Putin’s Just Us Department.

[lagomorph777]

5. Garland: "No problem. We like liars."

[reACTIONary]

14. Not Garland...

This story has been corrected to reflect that the decision not to prosecute Ross was made by the Department of Justice during the Trump administration, not the Biden administration.

[mpcamb]

16. SO review it and get it right this time!

Last edited Tue Jul 20, 2021, 07:23 AM - Edit history (1)

[PSPS]

6. And, of course, Garland uses his well-worn "free pass" stamp.

[reACTIONary]

13. Not Garland...

This story has been corrected to reflect that the decision not to prosecute Ross was made by the Department of Justice during the Trump administration, not the Biden administration.

[PSPS]

21. LOL. I hate when they do that!

[yaesu]

7. lying before congress, that used to be a crime but who knows what's a crime now. nt

[SergeStorms]

8. I think TFG demonstrated....

that there is nothing a republiQan can do which could be considered a crime. At least in the eyes of his lapdog, Bill Barr.

Democrats, however, are held to a different standard.

[mpcamb]

17. This is BULLSHIT of the highest order and we're fool to let it slide! Put them in COURT.

Make it stick instead of a crappy little news story!
Are we really so weak-willed??

[SergeStorms]

18. I can't speak for Congressional Democrats....

or President Biden, but I would tend to agree. I would hope that we're not that weak willed, but yet again......... I'm not in charge.

[Mr.Bill]

19. Well, we know that coming to the Capitol building

to hang the Vice president will get you eight months in jail.

[tonekat]

9. Big Mistake to not pursue this as a crime

How many mulligans will the crooks get?

[Dan]

10. Well, I guess nothing is a crime anymore...

Unless the poor and middle class do it.

I was charge every single one from his administration based on their actions. If not, it will happen again and be worse.

Now, I’m glad that Garland didn’t go to the Supreme Court, because he lacks balls.

[reACTIONary]

12. Not Garland...

This story has been corrected to reflect that the decision not to prosecute Ross was made by the Department of Justice during the Trump administration, not the Biden administration.

[reACTIONary]

11. This story has been corrected....

This story has been corrected to reflect that the decision not to prosecute Ross was made by the Department of Justice during the Trump administration, not the Biden administration.

It is a federal crime to make false statements before Congress. The results of the inspector general's investigation were presented to the Justice Department during Trump's administration, but department attorneys declined prosecution in January 2020.

[crickets]

22. Is it too late for Garland to 'undecline' the prior decision not to prosecute? nt

[James48]

23. What is the statute of limitations for lying to Congress?

And why isn’t the Justice Department seeking justice now?

[malthaussen]

24. "Lied," AP, the word is "lied."

You need to update your style book.

-- Mal

[LetMyPeopleVote]

25. Agreed

Link to tweet

?s=20

[malthaussen]

26. Of course, as mentioned upthread...

... just because "the decision was made" by the Trump DoJ, does not mean that the Biden DoJ could not decide differently if they were so inclined. So Mr Garland is not completely without responsibility for this guy walking around free. I'm sure there are many considerations to which we peasants are not privy that make it inexpedient for the DoJ to consider any action at this time.

-- Mal