Thread by @kazweida

This #SundayMorning we're wondering what's up with Hope Hicks. Will there be any consequences for the former model turned Presidential advisor for refusing to meaningfully comply with a Congressional subpoena?

Why did Democrats let her off easy?
(THREAD)
usatoday.com/story/news/pol…

(2) We're absolutely justified in assuming Democrats, like the media, are handling Hope differently.

Headlines have constantly normalized her support of this administration, framing her as a pretty face struggling with an existential dilemma.
nytimes.com/2019/05/23/us/…

(3) The kid glove treatment earlier this week seemed part of the frustrating latitude Hope's youthful appeal seems to give her.

Hope didn't testify so much as put in an appearance, refusing to answer even basic questions about her time in the White House.
vanityfair.com/news/2019/06/h…

(4) After leaving the White House, Hope pivoted to a lucrative career as chief communications officer and VP at FOX. Many assumed she'd cooperate fully rather than risk her future for Trump.

Her testimony puts a nail in the coffin of those speculations.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

(5) We're left with more questions than answers. Why did Dems play softball with Hope, extending her the courtesy of a closed-door session and accepting her refusal to engage in meaningful cooperation as compliance?

Doesn't this set a dangerous precedent?
time.com/5609538/hope-h…

(6) Interestingly, Jerry Nadler says Hope gave them exactly what they wanted. In an exclusive for Politico, he describes how Hope's half-hearted testimony provides Dems ammunition in court.

Is Nadler just trying to salvage a bad situation?
politico.com/story/2019/06/…

(7) To be fair, there is some logic to this argument. Because Hicks' testimony proves that members of the administration "will be forthcoming only under legal compulsion," Nadler says it gives the evidence they need to prove to a judge Dem tactics are necessary and not partisan.

(8) “In effect what it’s saying is, you can’t really investigate fraud, waste, abuse of power in the White House because anyone in a position to talk about it, they’re blocking and [Hicks] was very useful to give us the record that we can show the judge how extreme it really is.”

(9) Is this part of the Dem strategy? Is Dem leadership working behind the scenes to put the legal scaffolding in place to support opening impeachment inquiries by end of summer?

Nadler's comments about Hick's testimony would suggest that's the game plan.
politico.com/story/2019/06/…

(10) While Hope got off easy this time, I don't think we've seen the end of the battle between Congress & this administration. It may appear White House stonewalling is effective, but every day they refuse to comply, they add fuel for Dems for the legal battle that lies ahead.

(END) Thanks to @disgruntled_old for the #SundayMorning thread suggestion. Come back next week and well do this again.

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