BREAKING - Bennie Thompson, chair of the House Select Committee on January 6, indicates he’s ready to push for enforcement of the committee’s subpoenas — including holding people in contempt of Congress.
There are at least 3 options for enforcement or contempt:
1) sergeant-at-arms of House sends officers to arrest the person
2) refer matter to DOJ, which would send FBI agents arrest the person
3) file action in federal court to get court order, enforceable by US Marshals
1) sergeant-at-arms of House sends officers to arrest the person
2) refer matter to DOJ, which would send FBI agents arrest the person
3) file action in federal court to get court order, enforceable by US Marshals
Option 1 is considered “inherent contempt” - an inherent power of Congress. But it hasn’t been done since 1935.
Option 2 would mean Biden has to step up and show he means business.
Option 3 is a bad idea in my view, inviting an unwarranted court battle.
Option 2 would mean Biden has to step up and show he means business.
Option 3 is a bad idea in my view, inviting an unwarranted court battle.
Congress should carry out the arrest of the person in contempt first. Then that person can challenge it in court all they want. But the Supreme Court case law is very clear that Congress has authority to enforce its subpoenas just as courts and prosecutors do.
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