18 U.S. Code 1513.Retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant

[peoli]

...

(e)Whoever knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, takes any action harmful to any person, including interference with the lawful employment or livelihood of any person, for providing to a law enforcement officer any truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission of any Federal offense, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1513

[notinkansas]

1. If only!

Someone is pretty sure he's above the law - especially with a Barr in his pocket.

[DFW]

2. The Germans have an expression for that situation

"Wo kein Richter, da kein Henker"

"Where there is no judge, there will be no hangman."

In other words, if no one is there to enforce the law, there is no law.

[krissey]

3. These three have good lawyers, and they are pissed. If it can be done, I imagine it will be.

[GoneRonin]

4. loophole

The argument will be made that the House of Representatives is NOT a law enforcement officer. This calls that out specifically. This is why a lot of these initial question and answer sessions are with the FBI, but because they were not exactly willing participants. You lose some of your protection as well as probing power.

Its the same silly argument that they will make about the DOJ protections for the Vindman. They will argue that his military role is the one they will protect and the NSC position is at will, therefore their letter of protection does not apply.

Going by the spirit of the law, it would apply. Going by the letter of the law - WELL, that is why we have courts, lawyers and all that jazz.

[KT2000]

5. how about Vindman's brother?

he did not do anything that I know of - just a family member. I guess that is the mafia way - take out the family too.

[LittleGirl]

7. +1

That was what made it so dirty.

[Blues Heron]

11. They are for the particular class of presidential crimes

the statute applies.

[canetoad]

6. "...for providing to a law enforcement officer"

Won't fly. He testified to The House.

"...commission or possible commission of any Federal offense." Has it not been agreed that impeachment and/or removal needs NO Federal or underlying crime to proceed?

[True Blue American]

8. Get this

Republican Senators tried to stop Trump from firing witnesses. Afraid it would make HIM look bad!

Yeah,right, makes them look like the buffoons they really are. They do not care about Trump. Lindsey Graham once said,” Politicians will sell their Mother’s souls to keep their job! Lindsey should know!

[canetoad]

9. Yeah, I get it

But don't know what it has to do with my post.

[True Blue American]

10. Republicans do not care

About your law, or anything else! Survival and power is all that matters to them.

Sorry if I made it seem otherwise.

[Vinca]

12. Doesn't apply to kings.