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House Democrats are preparing more and more members of the Trump government in defiance of Congress.
Instead of passing a resolution recently passed by the Judiciary Committee, finding Attorney General William Barr guilty of contempt, the Democratic leaders announced that they would suspend the vote in order to give the time to D & C. Other government officials to comply with subpoenas issued by legislators of the House as part of a thorough investigation into Trump's case. business relations and political activities.
"We might want to deal with other congressional issues at the same time," said President Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., On the timing of voting in the House on the contempt quotation. Barr.
She suggested that the vote in the House on Contempt would deal with "a cumulative effect of obstruction in which the administration is engaged", in the face of extensive investigations by committees of the House led by Democrats.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and even special advocate Robert Mueller, whom Democrats have widely praised for conducting an investigation into Russia's interferences in the 2016 election, could figure on the list of insults.
The Democrats are also suing Don McGahn, Trump's former White House lawyer, who has refused a court appearance.
The name of Mueller was already on the list Friday, when the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler, announced that he had not yet been able to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Justice for Mueller to testify. before the committee.
The Democrats thought Mueller would be here next week, but he will not come.
"It will come at some point," said Nadler, D-N.Y. To the journalists. "If it is necessary, we will assign it and it will come."
A subpoena could give rise to a contempt charge if Mueller did not show up, though it was not clear who the Democrats would be responsible for.
Mueller's testimony depends on Barr, who oversees the special council office.
At first, Barr had told lawmakers that he was not opposed to what Mueller testified, but a source close to the talks said that Mueller's appearance is now complicated by the contempt charge. in Barr this week.
Democrats have invoked Barr for refusing to turn Mueller's unredacted report into complicity with Russia. However, Barr was legally required to retain the redacted documents because they included a grand jury and classified information.
Barr's office was in negotiations with Nadler when the latter abandoned the talks and proceeded to vote for contempt of court, further undermining the relationship between the House committee and the Department of Justice.
If Barr refuses to allow Mueller to testify, the Democrats could finally vote for Barr to be held in contempt of the second time.
Mnuchin faces a similar dilemma.
He refuses to give back six years of President Trump's tax returns, summoned by the House Committee on Ways and Means. Trump does not want the documents to be turned over to the House Democrats, who he says are using the investigations to hurt him politically.
Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., Is studying how to apply the subpoena, but some Democrats are eager to punish Mnuchin with a contempt quote.
"I think there must be consequences and I'm going to leave that to the presidency for the moment, but I personally think, yes, that if you do not follow the law, it's time for people begin to suffer the consequences, "Representative Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., told CNN when asked whether Mnuchin should be held in contempt of Congress.
The Democrats could also leave Mnuchin alone and quote IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, disregarding withholding tax data. Neal has assigned Rettig and Mnuchin to appear on Friday. Neal gave them a May 17 deadline to submit Trump's personal and professional tax returns dating back six years.
McGahn seems destined for a quote for contempt.
He refused to comply with a subpoena to deliver specific documents before May 7 and to testify on May 21.
The Trump administration cited "the confidential interests and privilege of the important leaders of the executive branch".
Nadler wrote this week to McGahn's lawyer, William Burck, with a warning.
"I really expect the committee to hold Mr. McGahn in contempt if he does not appear before the committee, unless the White House gets a court order ordering otherwise," Nadler wrote. .
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