Federal judge REFUSES to hold Trump and his team in contempt. Here's why the judge was right

[Rhiannon12866]

Chief Judge Beryl Howell refused a request by the Department of Justice to hold Trump and his lawyers in contempt for continuing to violate a grand jury subpoena to return all the classified and national security documents he stole from the federal government at the end of his presidential term.

This video takes a deep dive into the procedural quagmire in which DOIJ finds itself because it continues to treat Trump differently than it would treat anyone else who would steal classified documents. When DOJ/the FBI knows someone steals classified documents/national security information, the normal (and only acceptable) law enforcement response is to obtain a search warrant for stolen materials and arrest the offender. DOJ opted not to do that. Rather, they tried to use a grand jury subpoena to retrieve the stolen documents and, even since they've been playing on Donald Trump's playing field as he continues refuses to comply with the subpoena. So instead of doing what was necessary - arresting Trump for his crimes - DOJ ran to the court to try to enlist Judge Howell's assistance. Today, Judge Howell said "no." This rebuke can be read as Judge Howell telling DOJ - do your job as it should be done. Indeed, federal judges including Judge Reggie Walton, Judge Emmet Sullivan, Judge Amy Berman Jackson, Judge Amit Mehta, Judge David Carter and others, have been imploring DOJ to place criminal responsibility where it belongs - on Donald Trump. Will DOJ ever get the message? - Glenn Kirschner - 12/09/2022.

Link to the excellent reporting by Hugo Lowell of the Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/09/trump-records-prosecutors-judge-hearing

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. It's not about DOJ not doing their job, it's about the courts giving them cover to do their job

DOJ needed this ruling in order to give cover for future actions, such as getting another search warrant for all of Trump’s properties, or for an arrest warrant.

This ruling gives cover showing that DOJ tried less aggressive steps before resorting to more aggressive measures.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. You're absolutely right.

How long has it taken to come even as far as they have to resolve this serious criminal act which jeopardizes national security?? He was given every chance to return the documents, there were useless court filings - despite the historical legal precedent that when any other private citizen had made off with even one classified document, they very swiftly landed in jail.