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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDOJ Will Not Prosecute Trump Officials After IG Referred Findings of False Testimony on Census
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.
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triron
(22,020 posts)padah513
(2,506 posts)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
(5,339 posts)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
(13,903 posts)triron
(22,020 posts)jalan48
(13,883 posts)Xoan
(25,323 posts)PSPS
(13,614 posts)triron
(22,020 posts)The Magistrate
(95,255 posts)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
(22,020 posts)mvd
(65,180 posts)When you say this, I really listen. I know the AG should be independent, but there are some really clear charges needed. I dont understand what Garland is doing.
Takket
(21,625 posts)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
(30,613 posts)Garland is protecting Trump. What does Trump have on him?
Response to Nevilledog (Original post)
Celerity This message was self-deleted by its author.
Me.
(35,454 posts)oh right, we need them to control minorities, immigrants and low class slubs
BeyondGeography
(39,379 posts)uponit7771
(90,364 posts)... likely is what's needed for a clean straightforward case of line of Congress
RockRaven
(14,998 posts)Until that changes they will keep doing it.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)IrishAfricanAmerican
(3,818 posts)SledDriver
(2,059 posts)Merrick Garlands 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
(22,020 posts)RANDYWILDMAN
(2,675 posts)Does this keep happening for people in power who commit crimes????
This does not make sense....
Bettie
(16,124 posts)and thus, there are no laws that actually apply to them.
That's all I've got anymore.
RANDYWILDMAN
(2,675 posts)and you said it correctly.
We have two sets of justice.
One for people with resources and one for people without.
triron
(22,020 posts)Sur Zobra
(3,428 posts)Hes not protecting Trumpass officials, he is protecting the institution
bluestarone
(17,030 posts)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
(3,282 posts)Declining to prosecute because they don't think they have a strong enough case.
Thus place is as nutty as FR sometimes.
Boomerproud
(7,964 posts)I am speechless.
JanMichael
(24,890 posts)SunImp
(2,228 posts)triron
(22,020 posts)Does anyone have corroboration>
Celerity
(43,497 posts)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/