Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Thu Apr 4, 2019, 03:19 PM Apr 2019

House Democrats explain why it's taken 3 months to authorize subpoenas into Trump


Americans want House Democrats to investigate Trump and his administration. Here’s why House Democrats aren’t rushing to it.

By Tara Golshan Apr 4, 2019, 2:50pm EDT

House Democrats finally authorized subpoenas this week to get the full Mueller report. They got serious about requesting Trump’s tax returns. They issued four subpoenas related to the White House security clearance process and the administration’s effort to put a citizenship question on the census. But this all comes three months into Democratic control of the House of Representatives. For many liberals watching, it’s about damn time.

This was exacerbated by House Oversight Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) telling ABC News that while he will issue subpoenas, he doesn’t “want to be issuing” them. His comments weren’t well received by those critical of the Trump administration.

For two years, Democrats watched Republicans skirt oversight responsibilities and campaigned on holding Trump and his administration accountable. After all, the biggest difference between a House minority and a House majority is subpoena power.




House Democrats insist this seemingly slow walk to subpoena territory is all part of the strategy. They say they want to give the White House a chance to comply with their requests voluntarily. But the Trump administration has clearly been reluctant to turn over anything — whether officials for testimony, or key documents — something Democrats are calling a clear attempt to stonewall major investigations into the president, his administration, his businesses, and his family.

more
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/4/4/18293880/house-democrats-subpoenas-trump-slow
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
House Democrats explain why it's taken 3 months to authorize subpoenas into Trump (Original Post) DonViejo Apr 2019 OP
I think it is Clear that the GOP isn't giving ANYthing to anybody. Like the song says; flying_wahini Apr 2019 #1
Giving criminals a chance? SHRED Apr 2019 #2
As Valerie Jarrett said this week, her biggest White House regret was assuming Republicans cared. SunSeeker Apr 2019 #3
I've been reflecting on the slowness of it all. Yonnie3 Apr 2019 #4
Because you get one shot at it gratuitous Apr 2019 #5
If.you are going to insist the President follow the norms marylandblue Apr 2019 #6

flying_wahini

(6,646 posts)
1. I think it is Clear that the GOP isn't giving ANYthing to anybody. Like the song says;
Thu Apr 4, 2019, 03:24 PM
Apr 2019

If you want it here it is, come and get it.

SunSeeker

(51,674 posts)
3. As Valerie Jarrett said this week, her biggest White House regret was assuming Republicans cared.
Thu Apr 4, 2019, 03:38 PM
Apr 2019

She told Rachel Maddow she had assimed Republucans cared about the country and would not hurt the country for partisan reasons. It took a while for her to accept that Republicans were blocking everything for purely political reasons--to hurt Obama.

Yonnie3

(17,480 posts)
4. I've been reflecting on the slowness of it all.
Thu Apr 4, 2019, 03:43 PM
Apr 2019

As much as I want the Orange Baboon impeached yesterday, I feel it is not at all a certainty that impeachment will succeed in removing "45" from office soon.

The thought, that over the course of the coming year and a half, every week there is new dirt exposed is comforting. A steady trickle of bad news that the Repugs cannot explain away. A "president" ranting on Twitter everyday that it is not his fault. And the bad news just keeps coming. The pressure never stops.

If this is played out properly there will be a blue wave in 2020. I just need to retain my sanity and health until then.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
5. Because you get one shot at it
Thu Apr 4, 2019, 03:49 PM
Apr 2019

Hurry things along, and you risk leaving an out unguarded, even a bogus one. As we just saw last week when the Barr summary-that's-not-a-summary came out, the Trump administration is very adept at stampeding public opinion and even the reporting of professional journalists who should know better. After the initial spasm of "exoneration" reporting, there was sufficient pushback from the public to force the media to take a second, closer look at what the Barr letter actually said, instead of just parroting Trump. There's no guarantee that the media are going to be quite so congenial to the facts on any given episode.

These fuckers aren't going to go quietly, and they have a lot of allies and dupes in the media.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
6. If.you are going to insist the President follow the norms
Thu Apr 4, 2019, 04:02 PM
Apr 2019

you better follow them yourself, or he'll crush you with BS. He even commented that they asked for 6 years instead of the "normal" 10. That's his way of confusing people, not a mistake.

Normally Congress requests and the President provides it. So they gave him the chance, and avoided valid charges they weren't following the norms.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»House Democrats explain w...