Barr in Contempt of Congress

So how can any of this be good for Trump or America?


Donald doesn't care, his administration doesn't care. His followers don't care.

Donald tells them it's a coup and Dems are stealing his presidency.  His followers eat it up.

We'll see if the House actually goes through with the vote today.



Congress has a responsibility to provide oversight over the Executive Branch. If they walkaway from that responsibility it's allowing a dangerous tip in the balance of power toward the executive. Holding Barr in contempt moves the process toward a confrontation in the Judiciary.

I'm not sure Democrats in the house have any choice but to pursue this. At some point they need to draw a line in the sand to prevent a runaway president from pretty much doing whatever the hell he wants.


I said before these guys usually don't care because they're not held responsible. It doesn't matter what administration.

Congress can hold Barr in contempt but the Justice Dept will not prosecute.

Want to make a difference? Hold him in contempt and have the new administration prosecute. Make it likely that illegal acts end up with the giving of jail time. What happens now is when a new administration takes over the illegal and reprehensible acts are "forgiven or forgotten."

Likely jail time. Then we'll see them caring.


ooooh.  contempt of Congress.  that sounds serious.


Congress is held in contempt by most Americans. 


kinda like being held in contempt of the DMV.


terp said:
Congress is held in contempt by most Americans. 

Yes, Republicans have made the senate a joke, a lackey to the president.

When McConnell has completed the corruption of the federal judiciary with hacks he can adjourn the senate. Only call the senate back when additional relief to the 1% and corporations is wanted. Let all else be governed by presidential decrees. Commonly known here as executive orders. 

When Trump says jump, McConnell will respond with "How high Sire?".


terp said:
Congress is held in contempt by most Americans. 

 Yes, and been the best money can buy.


BG9 said:
I said before these guys usually don't care because they're not held responsible. It doesn't matter what administration.
Congress can hold Barr in contempt but the Justice Dept will not prosecute.
Want to make a difference? Hold him in contempt and have the new administration prosecute. Make it likely that illegal acts end up with the giving of jail time. What happens now is when a new administration takes over the illegal and reprehensible acts are "forgiven or forgotten."
Likely jail time. Then we'll see them caring.

As I understand it, if he is found to be in contempt, the Sergeant-at-Arms can go arrest him and he will be held in a jail in the basement of the Capitol Building and Congress serves as the judge, jury, and executioner (with the punishment ending no later than the congressional term).


they gonna try to lure him back to Capitol Hill with Nadler’s secret Oreo stash?


Steve said:
As I understand it, if he is found to be in contempt, the Sergeant-at-Arms can go arrest him and he will be held in a jail in the basement of the Capitol Building and Congress serves as the judge, jury, and executioner (with the punishment ending no later than the congressional term).

 Is that Senator Blutarski? 


oh my, you trump lovers are cutting! Great patriots!


Whatever the outcome, I've been waiting for awhile for Jerry Nadler to head the Judiciary Com. and I Iike what he's doing. While I doubt they will throw Barr in any dungeon, it goes on the record. Win or lose, I doubt any politician wants this kind of charge on the record.  Always enjoy Hakeem Jeffries, and now I'm discovering Cedric Richmond.

It may not reach the majority of Trump's base but it does reach relatives and friends of Dems who may be undecided or have a twinge of regret. I know a few women who surprised me with their Trump support and are now uncomfortable when I share some of the disasters. Its always hard for me to accept how little most people follow these things.



Steve said:


BG9 said:
I said before these guys usually don't care because they're not held responsible. It doesn't matter what administration.
Congress can hold Barr in contempt but the Justice Dept will not prosecute.
Want to make a difference? Hold him in contempt and have the new administration prosecute. Make it likely that illegal acts end up with the giving of jail time. What happens now is when a new administration takes over the illegal and reprehensible acts are "forgiven or forgotten."
Likely jail time. Then we'll see them caring.
As I understand it, if he is found to be in contempt, the Sergeant-at-Arms can go arrest him and he will be held in a jail in the basement of the Capitol Building and Congress serves as the judge, jury, and executioner (with the punishment ending no later than the congressional term).

Good luck on that. Barr is protected by Federal Marshals and the Federal Protection Service. Why would you assume that his protection will allow the Sergeant-at-Arms access?


Did I see a pledge pin on Barr’s uniform?


BG9 said:
Good luck on that. Barr is protected by Federal Marshals and the Federal Protection Service. Why would you assume that his protection will allow the Sergeant-at-Arms access?

 An order is an order.


BG9 said:
Good luck on that. Barr is protected by Federal Marshals and the Federal Protection Service. Why would you assume that his protection will allow the Sergeant-at-Arms access?

Aversion of a constitutional crisis.  Threat of disbarment.  Wouldn't that be a hoot if the AG were to be disbarred.


Robert_Casotto said:
ooooh.  contempt of Congress.  that sounds serious.

 These guys went to jail for a year for being in contempt of Congress.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hollywood-Ten


Steve said:


BG9 said:
Good luck on that. Barr is protected by Federal Marshals and the Federal Protection Service. Why would you assume that his protection will allow the Sergeant-at-Arms access?
Aversion of a constitutional crisis.  Threat of disbarment.  Wouldn't that be a hoot if the AG were to be disbarred.

 Wouldn't it be a hoot if one of Trump's federal judges rules that disbarring Barr because he followed an order from the president violates his constitutional rights?


BG9 said:
 Wouldn't it be a hoot if one of Trump's federal judges rules that disbarring Barr because he followed an order from the president violates his constitutional rights?

 Is it because it's the President?  Or would mean that no lawyer could be disbarred for anything as long as he said he was following his client's orders.  

I suggest that an associate at a law firm cannot defend against unethical conduct by saying that his actions were ordered by his superiors.


STANV said:


BG9 said:
 Wouldn't it be a hoot if one of Trump's federal judges rules that disbarring Barr because he followed an order from the president violates his constitutional rights?
 Is it because it's the President?  Or would mean that no lawyer could be disbarred for anything as long as he said he was following his client's orders.  
I suggest that an associate at a law firm cannot defend against unethical conduct by saying that his actions were ordered by his superiors.

We can suggest all we want. 

But its judges who determine what is legal, or illegal, constitutional, or unconstitutional, what is allowed, or not allowed, etc. 

The judges nominated by Trump with McConnell's connivance are a hoot.


ps - it would not need to go that far. Trump can pardon Barr. Like he did with Arpaio who was held in contempt.


BG9 said:
 Wouldn't it be a hoot if one of Trump's federal judges rules that disbarring Barr because he followed an order from the president violates his constitutional rights?

 It would be a state bar that would disbar him, not federal.


BG9 said:
ps - it would not need to go that far. Trump can pardon Barr. Like he did with Arpaio who was held in contempt.

Unlikely.  Doubtful that the pardon power extends to offenses against Congress.  It applies to offenses against the United States, not Congress.  That's why in federal prosecutions, the cases are U.S. v. ---.


STANV said:
 Is it because it's the President?  Or would mean that no lawyer could be disbarred for anything as long as he said he was following his client's orders.  
I suggest that an associate at a law firm cannot defend against unethical conduct by saying that his actions were ordered by his superiors.

 If Barr is the head of the judicial branch and as congressional leaders keep reminding us that he works for the people and is not there to represent Trump, then how could he use the excuse that the President told him to do something. Do I have that right?


Nadler should hold the surgeon who botched his gastric bypass in contempt of Congress too.


Steve said:


BG9 said:
 Wouldn't it be a hoot if one of Trump's federal judges rules that disbarring Barr because he followed an order from the president violates his constitutional rights?
 It would be a state bar that would disbar him, not federal.


BG9 said:
ps - it would not need to go that far. Trump can pardon Barr. Like he did with Arpaio who was held in contempt.
Unlikely.  Doubtful that the pardon power extends to offenses against Congress.  It applies to offenses against the United States, not Congress.  That's why in federal prosecutions, the cases are U.S. v. ---.

Yes, state bar, but Federal magistrates have the power to bring relief if they find a constitutional violation. 

Using the pardon power to pardon congressional offenses will be decided by the courts. That may take awhile whereas the pardon can be issued within a day.

ps - I realize, normally, federal courts often tell plaintiffs to first go to the state courts for relief against state entities. However, Trump judges are not normal judges.

Besides, Barr being the chief law officer of the U.S., may get preferment to have his case heard quickly by a federal court having submitted that disbarment impedes his job which is detrimental to the functioning of the executive branch.


Robert_Casotto said:
Nadler should hold the surgeon who botched his gastric bypass in contempt of Congress too.

 Why don't you just go away. Your sophomoric comments are just plain effing stupid!


Morganna said:
 If Barr is the head of the judicial branch and as congressional leaders keep reminding us that he works for the people and is not there to represent Trump, then how could he use the excuse that the President told him to do something. Do I have that right?

 Barr is an appointee of Trump and part of the Executive Branch. He is a member of the President's cabinet. He is not part of the Judicial Branch. The head of the Judicial Branch is the Chief Justice. 


BG9 said:
Yes, state bar, but Federal magistrates have the power to bring relief if they find a constitutional violation. 
Using the pardon power to pardon congressional offenses will be decided by the courts. That may take awhile whereas the pardon can be issued within a day.

ps - I realize, normally, federal courts often tell plaintiffs to first go to the state courts for relief against state entities. However, Trump judges are not normal judges.
Besides, Barr being the chief law officer of the U.S., may get preferment to have his case heard quickly by a federal court having submitted that disbarment impedes his job which is detrimental to the functioning of the executive branch.

 Lawyers are licensed by States. If the State licensing authority takes away someone's license pursuant to its own rules can a Federal Court overturn that? On what basis? Good questions.

In New Jersey the State Supreme Court holds the power to disbar a lawyer. If they disbar a lawyer so that he is prohibited from practicing before the State Courts could a Federal Court order the State Supreme Court to allow that person to practice? If so how would they enforce that, by sending in Federal troops?

Talk about a Constitutional Crises.   


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