1/ As a practical matter, it's not clear the House has sufficient power to compel the Executive Branch to comply with their subpoenas if the courts refuse to enforce them.
Starting a partial government shutdown to enforce a subpoena comes with a substantial political cost.
Starting a partial government shutdown to enforce a subpoena comes with a substantial political cost.
2/ We've heard a lot about "Inherent contempt" recently, but the House is not equipped to mount significant enforcement operations. The Capitol Police is not set up to arrest and detain Executive Branch officials.
Impeachment didn't result in subpoena compliance either.
Impeachment didn't result in subpoena compliance either.
3/ This subpoena relates to evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the president. The House's power to investigate this matter should be heightened given its constitutional power to impeach.
But the power to investigate means little if the House can't enforce its subpoenas. /end
But the power to investigate means little if the House can't enforce its subpoenas. /end
