THE JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE ISN'T PLAYING GAMES WITH TRUMPWORLD

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

It was a recurring theme of Donald Trump’s presidency: Congressional Democrats would launch a legitimate investigation into some clear malfeasance, the former president and his allies would refuse to cooperate, and the probe would prove toothless, unable to provide the accountability it was designed to bring about. Now, as Trumpworld stonewalling plays out again, congressional investigators are seeking to ensure their January 6 inquiry doesn’t meet a similar fate. The select committee probing the Capitol Hill insurrection on Thursday announced it was referring Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist, for criminal contempt after he refused to comply with its subpoenas, blasting him for “hiding behind insufficient, blanket, and vague statements regarding privileges he has purported to invoke.”

“The Select Committee will not tolerate defiance of our subpoenas, so we must move forward with proceedings to refer Mr. Bannon for criminal contempt,” Bennie Thompson, the committee’s chair, said in a statement Thursday. “The Select Committee will use every tool at its disposal to get the information it seeks, and witnesses who try to stonewall the Select Committee will not succeed.”

The announcement by the select committee makes good on threats its members have been making for days amid a game of chicken with Trumpworld. “We intend to enforce our subpoenas,” Democratic Representative Stephanie Murphy, a member of the select committee probing the pro-Trump riot, said on MSBNC Thursday.

It is crucial for the committee to assert its authority, considering it was already at a disadvantage before it began its work: Mitch McConnell and his Senate Republicans this spring filibustered the 9/11-style commission that Democrats and some in the GOP had hoped to establish, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy politicized the select committee that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi created instead. With just two Republicans on the panel—Adam Kinzinger and vice chair Liz Cheney, both of whom have been exiled from the GOP for their votes in favor of impeachment—whatever it uncovers is sure to be refracted through the hyper-partisan lens of Trump era politics. It’s hard to hold insurrectionists accountable when half of Washington and a good chunk of the electorate actively supports said insurrection.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/10/the-january-6-committee-isnt-playing-games-with-trumpworld

[NoMoreRepugs]

1. If this was a 'game' it's being played without rules by the Republicans - do Democrats

know how to function effectively in that kind of environment. If the rule of law is no longer the final arbiter than we had better get ready to get in the dirt.

[HUAJIAO]

13. Agreed.... I fear nothing will come of it all except... a fascist USA in the not-too-distant future.

I hope I am wrong as I am 'too old' and without the means to leave the country..

[colsohlibgal]

2. I Hope So

A lot of it depends on Merrick Garland....does he have the fortitude to really get tough? Color me doubtful.

[HUAJIAO]

14. I too am doubtful I will believe it when I see it.

[wnylib]

15. You are seeing it, in action.

What more does it take to convince you? The select committee has referred Bannon for criminal charges of Contempt of Congress. There will be other steps to follow - a DC grand jury, indictment, and arrest by US marshalls. The evidence is there, cut and dried. He did not appear when subpoenaed.

Biden has decided that the presidential privilege that Bannon and Trump and the rest are trying to claim is invalid. So Garland is not a problem at all on this. He will follow through.

The only possible glitch is if the Trump gang tries to get protection from a Supreme Court decision in their favor. But the SC has ruled in the past that executive privilege does not apply in criminal investigations. Plus, there are conditions that, if met, should prevent the SC from even hearing Trump's executive privilege claim. Congress has met those conditions, e.g. that the subpoena be sent by an established Congressional investigative commmittee with the knowledge and agreement of the Speaker (for the House) or the VP (for the Senate). The separation of powers into co-equal branches of government means that the Supreme Court cannot stop the legislative branch from doing its Constitutional duty of investigation.

Trump's administration and AG did nothing when Republicans ignored subpoenas. But this is Biden's administration and a Biden apppointed AG.

[Escurumbele]

16. You make a lot of sense, but now I want to see Garland truly apply the famous rule of law.

I too have my doubts, but I want to be proven wrong.

Go Garland!

[wnylib]

20. I have never doubted for a minute

that Garland would follow through.

But the process involves steps. Garland does not control the initial steps. He comes into it after the case is referred to him. That has just been done by the select committee. Now Garland will move on it from there.

This is Merick Garland, not Bill Barr.

[Bev54]

23. That has not yet been done by the committee

It goes to committee and then to the house floor for a vote on Tuesday, only after approval on that vote will it go to the DOJ.

[wnylib]

29. Oops. Getting ahead of the process

in my enthusiasm.

[KS Toronado]

39. Keep up the enthusiasm

We're finally starting to see Qrump world collapse..

[bahboo]

3. do unto them, as they would do unto us....

bury the fuckers...

[DeeNice]

27. I will donate a truckload of shovels. n/t

[hamsterjill]

4. CNN last night with Bob Woodward and John Dean

Neither felt that Bannnon will see punishment because he will stall for as long as he can.

Make no mistake here. I hope the committee can put the squeeze to ole Steve. But I’ll not hold my breath. And IF Bannon gets away with this, it’s going to make the Dems look foolish. I hope they have thought about that and hopefully have some surprises up their sleeves.

[groundloop]

9. They got away with it in both impeachment hearings, no reason for them to think otherwise now.

I don't see why there weren't several GQPers locked up when they refused to cooperate in both of the impeachment hearings. They've been emboldened by the lack of any consequences thus far, I dearly hope that they'll see time behind bars this time around.

[hamsterjill]

11. Absolutely agree.

I will happily dance in the streets if it happens, but I will not get my hopes up until I see it happen.

[wnylib]

22. The reason why they weren't locked up before

is that TFG was president and AG Barr protected him.

Now Biden is president and Garland is AG. TFG does not have the power any more to control the process.

[hamsterjill]

24. Bannon will stall.

The plan is for Bannon, et al to stall hoping things change in the mid terms. He will start filing motions regardless of who is in charge.

Merrick Garland is going to need to show some guts on this one. When you can’t play by the rules (like Bannon), you bend the rules.

So it may take some “creativity” to deal with someone who doesn’t play by the rules. I don’t think Merrick Garland has that in him but I will be THE FIRST to happily eat crow if he gets it done.

[wnylib]

32. How do you anticipate him stalling?

Once Bannon has been referred to the DC district court and indicted, the US Marshalls can arrest him and physically take him to the House.

Bannon can try turning to the SC, but there has already been a SC ruling that executive privilege does not apply to the investigation of a crime. The SC and Congress are co-equal branches of government so the SC cannot interfere with the authority of Congress to conduct oversight investigations.

The only way out for Bannon that I can see is if he goes into hiding or leaves the country to avoid arrest.

[hamsterjill]

36. He will file motion after meaningless motion

Just like Trump does. Tie it up in court any way he can. Where have you been the last five years and before?

So Bannon gets dragged into the house. Hey, I’m good with that. But he won’t cooperate.

Congress needs to listen to John Dean and go after hefty and accelerating fines.

[wnylib]

37. When he files a motion to the SC

Last edited Sat Oct 16, 2021, 11:45 AM - Edit history (3)

and they refuse to hear the case, then the marshalls get to arrest him because there is no place else to file.

But I expect him to claim that he "doesn't remember" or that he had nothing to do with whatever they ask him about. But he will be under oath, so they might catch him in the act of perjury if he claims not to have been present or involved in something and there is proof that he was.

[hamsterjill]

38. Sure.

I’ll hold my exuberance until something actually happens.

[wnylib]

17. Punishment for the crimes that he is

being investigated for? Or punishment for the crime of Contempt of Congress?

Maybe no for the first question, but probably yes for the second.

[hamsterjill]

19. For the subpoena.

Neither gentleman felt Bannon will be punished.

[wnylib]

30. Bannon might not be fined or get

a prison sentence, but I think he will be brought to the House, even if it takes an arrest to do it.

[hamsterjill]

35. I hope you're right.

But I’ll still believe it when I see it.

[themaguffin]

5. Nice to hear, BUT until it happens, I am skeptical, plus not much can force them to talk even if

they do show up.

[irisblue]

6. Prep Walk +US Marshall's will prove a point

[Champp]

7. Next Tuesday's House vote on Bannon will be a BIGGIE

It'll get through, of course, because Dems have the majority.

But how many Republicans will take a public on-the-record shit-and-piss on the U.S. Congress itself by voting to NOT UPHOLD their very own House subpeona of Bannon.

Any Republican opposing enforcement will mark himself or herself as a Republican Traitor, and their opponents in the 2022 elections will beat the Hell out of them for betraying America, American democracy, and the very institution of Congress they begged and pleaded to be part of.

The stink of treason will be on them for many moons to come.

The Republicans who vote NO on Tuesday will never hear the end of their vile betrayal of America.

[msfiddlestix]

8. This headline is a wee bit premature

making statements and taking a few days to file a "referral" isn't even close to the description in the header.

Until real and swift action is taken, it's just theater. Matter of fact, by now the state of play should be to assume subpoenas will most assuredly be ignored. Therefore, every request for appearances should have attached paperwork that can be filed immediately for actionable charges (failure to appear). etc etc., in real time.

[TheRickles]

10. What will happen next, if/when the subpoenas are issued and ignored?

How many steps, and how much time, before resisters like Bannon are arrested?

[msfiddlestix]

33. That's the 64 million question, that shall not be answered

is it theater or will there be actual consequences? I don't mean whining and grandstanding.

[Midnight Writer]

12. My neighbor didn't show up for jury duty and the cops were at his door that same day.

Just saying.

[Dreampuff]

21. Exactly!

Different rules for different segments of society! I am also not holding my breath in hopes that this time something will actually be accomplished. It would always be that pleasant surprise if they are finally held accountable.

[hamsterjill]

25. Yepper!

You or I would already be in handcuffs.

[The Jungle 1]

18. I want his hide stretched

He did great harm to my country.

[11 Bravo]

26. While he's still wearing it.

[The Jungle 1]

31. Let's not examine the statement to closely.

[calimary]

28. DON'T play games, Dems!

Play for keeps!

[brooklynite]

34. But, I was told they were being too slow...

…it’s hard to keep up.

[Hekate]

40. KnR