Let's say Elijah Cummings subpoenas the Whitehouse

[SHRED]

And they still refuse to turn over the requested material.

Then what happens?

[RDANGELO]

1. He takes them to court.

If he wins in court, and they still refuse, it should be reason for impeachment; Trump still would have to answer to the people in the election.

[onecaliberal]

2. Democracy over.

[elleng]

3. Following a contempt citation, the person cited is arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms

for the House or Senate, brought to the floor of the chamber, held to answer charges by the presiding officer, and then subjected to punishment as the chamber may dictate (usually imprisonment for punishment reasons, imprisonment for ...
Contempt of Congress - Wikipedia

If a witness refuses to comply with a subpoena to either produce documents or testify, Congress has a few options: inherent contempt authority, the criminal contempt statute, and various civil enforcement mechanisms. ... 2 U.S.C. § 192...makes it a misdemeanor to refuse to testify or produce documents.

[bottomofthehill]

9. It's a little more complicated than that

Harriet Myers and Karl Rove were found in contemp of Congress. It took a vote in committee then a vote
Of the full House. After that, the contempt citation was delivered to the US Attorneys office in aWashington DC. Here is a here it gets difficult. An executive branch agency is charged with enforcing a contempt citation on the executive branch.

In the Myers/rove case, they were able to work it out and they ultimately ended up testifying I believe. With a Trump Whitehouse, I think there will be a different result and the courts will have to act

[elleng]

10. Of course it's more complicated than that,

and the trump Whitehouse won't cooperate until whatever the last moment might be. Then it won't be cooperation at all!

[BigmanPigman]

4. I heard on the news that it goes to the SCOTUS

and then we see how our two stolen justice seats vote. It can be more complicated than that though. I just read this post...
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016228831

[ProudLib72]

5. That's what Rachel said tonight

She went over Nixon's refusal that went to the SCOTUS.

I really don't want it to take that long.

[former9thward]

7. Rachel does not know the law.

The Nixon case did not involve Congress. It involved an active criminal investigation by a prosecutor. Apples and oranges. Where did she get a law degree? Oh, that's right ....

[former9thward]

6. Congress and the Executive Branch are co-equal branches.

If the subpoenas are refused pretty much nothing happens. Obama's AG Eric Holder refused a subpoena and he was referred to court by Congress. The court ruled in his favor. Yet another fantasy people have about our system.

https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2014/10/judge-declines-to-hold-holder-in-contempt-196650

[bluestarone]

11. TY interesting read!

Wondering how this case ended up? Did Holder eventually turn over the requested documents? Thanks again!

[former9thward]

12. He turned over a few.

Not all that were requested.

[benld74]

8. Elijah Cummings subpoenas the Whitehouse

That felt good