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mahatmakanejeeves

(57,290 posts)
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 08:35 PM Dec 2021

House Jan. 6 committee votes to hold former Trump DOJ official in criminal contempt

Source: Washington Post

Politics

House Jan. 6 committee votes to hold former Trump DOJ official in criminal contempt

By Jacqueline Alemany
Today at 7:44 p.m. EST

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol unanimously voted Wednesday to hold former Trump Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark in criminal contempt for failing to cooperate with its inquiry.

{snip}

It is unclear when the full House could take up the contempt resolution, but if it is adopted, it would be up to the Justice Department to determine whether it wants to indict Clark for not complying with a congressional subpoena.

Clark, however, has one more opportunity to appear in front of the committee on Saturday for a new deposition. Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) said during the hearing that Clark informed the committee that he “now intends to claim Fifth Amendment protection,” and that the panel is “willing to convene another deposition at which Clark can assert that privilege on a question-by-question basis.”

{snip}

By Jacqueline Alemany
Jacqueline Alemany is the author of The Early 202, an early morning newsletter featuring news critical to the nation’s many power centers, including the White House, Capitol Hill, government agencies, the Pentagon and more. She joined The Washington Post in 2018 after six years at CBS News. Twitter https://twitter.com/jaxalemany

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clark-january-6-contempt/2021/12/01/dbb142de-52ca-11ec-9267-17ae3bde2f26_story.html



I've had to go with a much less sensational story. I'll keep looking for a newer source.

Here's the original tweet:

Black-HeartedEvilPopehat Retweeted

https://twitter.com/Popehat

BREAKING: Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark, a central player in Trump's effort to overturn the election, has informed the Jan. 6 committee he intends to plead the 5th, Chairman Thompson says




-- -- -- -- --

The biggest disgrace in this article is that Committee Chairman Thompson refers to taking the Fifth as a privilege:

>>>>>
Clark, however, has one more opportunity to appear in front of the committee on Saturday for a new deposition. Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) said during the hearing that Clark informed the committee that he “now intends to claim Fifth Amendment protection,” and that the panel is “willing to convene another deposition at which Clark can assert that privilege on a question-by-question basis.”
>>>>>

It is not a privilege. It is a right. Clark has the same ability as anyone else to exercise his Fifth Amendment rights.

As well, it is not an admission of guilt, no matter what the prevailing theory is in Trumpland.
41 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
House Jan. 6 committee votes to hold former Trump DOJ official in criminal contempt (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 OP
Now what was it that trump said about those pleading the 5th? Fullduplexxx Dec 2021 #1
He said LOTS of stuff, Full! Leghorn21 Dec 2021 #17
Grant him immunity and grill him 'til he turns on everyone he knows . . . Journeyman Dec 2021 #2
Doesn't he actually have to show up to invoke 5th amendment rights or executive privilege? Walleye Dec 2021 #3
that's as good as saying your guilty ! will lead to more got ya's ? monkeyman1 Dec 2021 #4
It is no such thing. NT mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 #5
You are correct but.... gab13by13 Dec 2021 #25
I agree with ya completely ! your better at wording than me ! thank you ! monkeyman1 Dec 2021 #29
I'm guessing we are both equally pissed off at this, you know what. gab13by13 Dec 2021 #31
very much so ! monkeyman1 Dec 2021 #32
I know it's not a sure sign of guilt.... viva la Dec 2021 #6
as an attorney and invoking the 5th.. gohuskies Dec 2021 #7
No. former9thward Dec 2021 #10
No one in this thread has said gab13by13 Dec 2021 #33
I guess you didn't read the poster I replied to, did you? former9thward Dec 2021 #35
It's actually appropriate for Jeffrey Clark to take the Fifth and sensible lawyers would recommend mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 #8
Invoking the 5th implies gab13by13 Dec 2021 #26
Of course it isn't an admission of guilt, legally speaking, but didn't TFG make a BFD Ocelot II Dec 2021 #9
Well, sure, but those statements were made in, uh, jest. Yeah, that's it, jest. NT mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 #11
Yes he did. former9thward Dec 2021 #13
Well . . . AverageOldGuy Dec 2021 #12
Snarf! UpInArms Dec 2021 #14
I know it's not an admission of guilty, but I know how I'd bet if I were in Vegas! Gore1FL Dec 2021 #15
Pardon him and then bring him in Red Mountain Dec 2021 #16
He planned the overthrow of a valid election, gab13by13 Dec 2021 #30
So is he STILL able to take the fifth, IF it turns out bluestarone Dec 2021 #18
Of course- that is the most likely reason to take the 5th Fiendish Thingy Dec 2021 #21
THat's what i ment bluestarone Dec 2021 #23
He can still take the fifth Fiendish Thingy Dec 2021 #37
Make him show up and invoke his rights in front of the committee. Nt Fiendish Thingy Dec 2021 #19
I can't wait for him to sit there and plead the 5th about 50 times. The questions will be great. marble falls Dec 2021 #20
I agree but, gab13by13 Dec 2021 #27
Trump DOJ official to plead the 5th -- and Capitol riot committee will 'hang it around his neck' turbinetree Dec 2021 #22
I don't want the select committee to hang it around his neck, gab13by13 Dec 2021 #28
Give him the Mary Surratt treatment ... lock his ass up at what was the old Washington Arsenal Botany Dec 2021 #24
wonder if Iran still is pissed at trump ? monkeyman1 Dec 2021 #34
This means he's not claiming imaginary executive privilege any longer? pecosbob Dec 2021 #36
This message was self-deleted by its author ExTex Dec 2021 #38
Two from Popehat: mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 #39
I have a question for everyone at DU in favor of gutting the Fifth Amendment. mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 #40
The committee chairman is just plain wrong. mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2021 #41
 

monkeyman1

(5,109 posts)
4. that's as good as saying your guilty ! will lead to more got ya's ?
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 08:44 PM
Dec 2021

it's getting better by the day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gab13by13

(21,255 posts)
25. You are correct but....
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:36 PM
Dec 2021

pleading the 5th means you don't want to incriminate yourself in a crime. As far as I'm concerned his pleading the 5th should open the door for Merrick Garland to step in and investigate him, correct? Clark is afraid to answer questions that may be used to arrest him for a crime.

I know, Garland probably already has a team of investigators on the case. This Clark guy created the blueprint to overthrow a legal, certified election.

viva la

(3,270 posts)
6. I know it's not a sure sign of guilt....
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 08:54 PM
Dec 2021

But it is interesting he's not going for "executive privilege" defense.

He must think this is more ironclad, but it sure does signal to me that... he thinks the truth will make him sound guilty.

gab13by13

(21,255 posts)
33. No one in this thread has said
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 10:00 PM
Dec 2021

that Clark should be penalized for invoking the 5th, have they? By invoking the 5th Clark is worried that he may incriminate himself in a crime, correct? Let's see, who is it who investigates possible crimes, oh yeah, DOJ. Merrick Garland just got the green light to investigate Jeffrey Clark, correct? Going through the select committee is just a delay tactic.

former9thward

(31,935 posts)
35. I guess you didn't read the poster I replied to, did you?
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 10:33 PM
Dec 2021

The poster asked if Clark could be disciplined by the bar for invoking the 5th.

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,290 posts)
8. It's actually appropriate for Jeffrey Clark to take the Fifth and sensible lawyers would recommend
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 08:59 PM
Dec 2021
It's actually appropriate for Jeffrey Clark to take the Fifth and sensible lawyers would recommend that he strongly consider doing so.

The only trouble is the potential political consequences but you can worry about that while walking past a federal courthouse saying, "Boy am I glad I'm not in there right now."


gab13by13

(21,255 posts)
26. Invoking the 5th implies
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:44 PM
Dec 2021

he's afraid of incriminating himself in a crime. Time for Merrick Garland to investigate him. Clark and Meadows have no intention of testifying before the select committee, Meadows won't testify under oath, they both want to run out the clock, let's stop kidding ourselves.

The argument that it's appropriate for Clark to take the 5th insults my intelligence. Taking the 5th is what guilty people do. Hillary Clinton voluntarily testified, publicly, for 11 hours and never took the 5th. Eric Holder voluntarily testified 9 times over Fast and Furious and never took the 5th.

I'm tired of this catering to seditionists. I call them traitors because what they did fits the dictionary definition of a traitor.

Ocelot II

(115,584 posts)
9. Of course it isn't an admission of guilt, legally speaking, but didn't TFG make a BFD
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:02 PM
Dec 2021

out of the issue, saying that only guilty people plead the 5th?

Gore1FL

(21,098 posts)
15. I know it's not an admission of guilty, but I know how I'd bet if I were in Vegas!
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:17 PM
Dec 2021

We can wait and see how important his testimony is and offer some form of immunity if necessary. If he doesn't want to cooperate, I am hoping this stance ultimately leads to him facing the crimes he probably committed, after it has all been proved in court.

bluestarone

(16,859 posts)
18. So is he STILL able to take the fifth, IF it turns out
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:21 PM
Dec 2021

That he is covering up, and is a CO- CONSPIRIATOR? (would this be a place to use inherent contempt?)

Fiendish Thingy

(15,548 posts)
21. Of course- that is the most likely reason to take the 5th
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:24 PM
Dec 2021

You can take the 5th to cover up revealing any evidence of crimes you have committed.

What you can’t do is claim “privilege” in order to cover up your crimes, or anyone else’s.

bluestarone

(16,859 posts)
23. THat's what i ment
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:29 PM
Dec 2021

He can take the fifth for himself, BUT what is he was asked questions of OTHERS involved?

Fiendish Thingy

(15,548 posts)
37. He can still take the fifth
Thu Dec 2, 2021, 01:17 AM
Dec 2021

Any knowledge of crimes committed by others could implicate Meadows in conspiracy or as an accessory, so he could take the fifth as well.

gab13by13

(21,255 posts)
27. I agree but,
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:49 PM
Dec 2021

Clark just gave Garland an excuse for DOJ to open an investigation. By invoking the 5th Clark is worried he may incriminate himself in a crime, there you go Mr. Garland, have at it, we can't wait for this stalling nonsense going on with the select committee.

gab13by13

(21,255 posts)
28. I don't want the select committee to hang it around his neck,
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:50 PM
Dec 2021

I want DOJ to investigate Clark now. Why should DOJ have to wait for a criminal referral from the select committee?

Botany

(70,447 posts)
24. Give him the Mary Surratt treatment ... lock his ass up at what was the old Washington Arsenal
Wed Dec 1, 2021, 09:32 PM
Dec 2021

He was part of and supported the overthrow of our Constitutional democracy so Trump
could stay on as President after he lost the election in order to avoid criminal and civil
penalties for his many crimes.

If Fox News was around after the assassination of Lincoln, "Are liberal D.C. government workers
trying to avoid the facts that John Wilkes both loved America and was a dandy little actor."

Response to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,290 posts)
39. Two from Popehat:
Thu Dec 2, 2021, 11:21 AM
Dec 2021
Black-HeartedEvilPopehat Retweeted

Jeffrey Bossert Clark's lawyer writes that "based on our research," the Jan. 6 committee lacks authority to issue depositions. He says the committee is improperly constituted because, among other things, Liz Cheney is no longer a real Republican.
https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IJ/IJ00/20211201/114281/HMTG-117-IJ00-20211201-SD013.pdf



Excellent assessment by friend and former colleague
@eliehonig
Down pointing backhand index


mahatmakanejeeves

(57,290 posts)
40. I have a question for everyone at DU in favor of gutting the Fifth Amendment.
Thu Dec 2, 2021, 04:13 PM
Dec 2021

Is this what you want?

Black-HeartedEvilPopehat Retweeted

By a 5–2 vote, the (extremely conservative) Florida Supreme Court holds that criminal defendants who exercise their right against self-incrimination by refusing to admit guilt may be punished with higher sentences due to "lack of remorse."



https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/content/download/812295/opinion/sc19-716.pdf
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