Democrats seeking to compel -- or punish -- Barr and others who ignore Democratic invitations and subpoenas could pursue contempt proceedings, which carry no tangible penalty when branches of government face off, or take action in court, which would be protracted. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic
1 / 3 -- Attorney General William Barr’s snub of a House hearing on Robert Mueller’s Russia report exposed that Democrats are in an awkward position: They don’t have any good options for forcing the Trump administration to cooperate with their multiple investigations.
Barr didn’t show up as scheduled Thursday to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, complaining about the format for questioning. That came as Barr and the Justice Department defied a committee subpoena to turn over the full, unredacted version of Special Counsel Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and the evidence behind it.
“The procedural and legal perks of impeachment do not apply, and the chairman can’t have it both ways,” Collins said in a statement. “He can’t try to pacify his liberal base by pretending to do impeachment without actually taking the plunge. The reality of our chamber and this distinguished committee is that when it comes to impeachment, you’re either in, Mr. Chairman, or you’re out, and, right now, you’re out.
But he also said the House could instigate action as early as Monday to hold Barr in contempt of Congress for not complying with the subpoena. Even if the House were to find Barr in contempt, it would be up to a U.S. attorney and the Justice Department -- led by Barr -- to prosecute. And the department isn’t likely to act when the official’s non-compliance is at the direction of the president. Federal prosecutors have broad discretion over whether to bring charges.The House could go to court to seek evidence via civil action.
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