Justice Dept. fails to comply with subpoena.

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/16/justice-dept-fails-to-comply-with-subpoena/

Justice Dept. fails to comply with subpoena.

The Justice Department has missed the 2pm deadline to turn over documents on the U.S. Attorney firings subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) said he was “disappointed” and pledged to “review all available legal options to secure compliance with the subpoena.”

From the judiciary committee:

DOJ Fails to Comply with House Judiciary Subpoena
April 16th, 2007 by Jesse Lee

From the Judiciary Committee:
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=244

Justice Department Fails to Comply with House Judiciary Subpoena

(Washington, DC)- Today, U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) issued the following statement in response to the Justice Department’s failure to comply with the Committee’s subpoena response deadline of 2 p.m. today. The subpoena seeks information the Department has continued to refuse to provide or has provided only in redacted form.

“We are disappointed that the Justice Department failed to produce the documents and other materials for which we issued a subpoena last week. While we understand that the Department considers this effort a priority and we plan to continue working with them, we will review all available legal options to secure compliance with the subpoena.”

[Justice]

1. so much for the "rule of law"

the irony in the Justice Dept failing to respond to a subpoena.

[ray of light]

26. this is important...

Jessely Radack worked at the DOJ when she witnessed documents being destroyed. Under the Bush administration, the DOJ had coverup'd, deleted emails, and ignored a court order to give those documents. Jesselyn Radack blew the whistle. This was more than 4 years ago!

READ her story. You'll see how this administration gets retribution against anyone who tells the truth. The people still in the DOJ are either Republicans or too afraid to lose their job to actually do what JEsselyn Radack did.

http://www.patrioitictruthteller.net

Seriously...BUY the book and share it!

[unlawflcombatnt]

55. Looks like a good book

Thanks for the link.

[ThomWV]

2. I don't care if locusts ate every male child in Virginia - this is the important story

No one will remember some asshole who shot a lot of people in Virginia, what they will remember is this historical event.

[Donnachaidh]

14. Thank you!

This is THE story to be watching.

[Morgana LaFey]

18. I agree. I'm SO frustrated with the non-stop shootarama coverage

and yeah, that probably makes me sound like a really terrible person, with 32 dead and all. I'm watching a country die, though. People come and go, and so do nations, but there are just fewer of them, ya know?

[elehhhhna]

33. Remember the 32 so we can forget the 3200 & counting.

[Morgana LaFey]

46. Well put nt

[leftchick]

60. 3300

http://icasualties.org/oif/

[unlawflcombatnt]

53. Amen

This certainly is the story.

[undeterred]

3. Maybe they don't know what a subpoena is.

I'm only half kidding.

[ThomCat]

9. Pat Robertson doesn't teach that class.

The term isn't found in the bible. x(

[thereismore]

4. Gonzo too busy rehearsing. No time to find documents. nt

[Rex]

5. No wonder they suspended the Rule of Law. Must be hiding far more

than info about AG firings. Get those criminal bastards at the Justice Department?! I wish that was sarcasm.

[katsy]

6. Stupid question...

but isn't this the path to a constitutional crisis?

[Morgana LaFey]

19. Constitutional Crisis has been on a slow boil since January

actually, when the Dems sorta took over Congress. It's inevitable -- unless the Dems continue to allow him to get away with all this, of course.

[katsy]

24. Thank you Morgana.

I suppose this may well head to the USSC.

[Randy Ranger]

7. Send in the US Marshals now ! N/T

[stillcool]

10. I'm thinking the same thing...

out of control.

[ThomCat]

11. I think the US Marshals are under the the DoJ.

Congress wouldn't have the authority to order them.

[meldroc]

16. There's always Inherent Contempt.

The House or Senate has the option of declaring a person in inherent contempt, and then having the Seargent-at-Arms go out and arrest him.

[ozymandius]

58. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate:

As chief law enforcement officer of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms is charged with maintaining security in the Capitol and all Senate buildings, as well as protection of the members themselves. The Sergeant at Arms serves as the executive officer of the Senate for enforcement of all rules of the Committee on Rules and Administration regulating the Senate Wing of the Capitol and the Senate Office Buildings and has responsibility for and immediate supervision of the Senate floor, chamber and galleries. The Sergeant at Arms is authorized to arrest and detain any person violating Senate rules, including the President of the United States.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/office/sergeant_at_arms.htm

This is different from the mostly ceremonial duties of the Sergeant-at-arms of the House.

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/legbranc/abtcong.htm

[frogcycle]

71. woah!!!

<johnny carson voice>I did not know that!</johnny carson voice>

"The Sergeant at Arms is authorized to arrest and detain any person violating Senate rules, including the President of the United States."

This may just be it. I mean, we're still a ways away, but this says in no uncertain terms who is "more equal" among the coequal branches, and it is NOT the executive.

It doesn't say he even needs to be removed from office by impeachment. I guess this is the clause that deals with the potential emergency of a "rogue" in the presidency. Thank you for bringing this out!

[hootinholler]

31. Issue a warrant and the Marshals are bound to execute it.

Maybe the Sargent At Arms should go?

-Hoot

[Maraya1969]

61. Can't congress arrest them now? If I ignored a subpoena I'd sure as Hell be arrested

They are NOT about the law! Why can't th congress just call in the Washington police to have them arrested?

EDIT: to add that they can file an appeal as to the legitimacy of the document. This is exactly what President Clinton tried to do. He failed. So I don't see how these people are going to get away with it.

[JetCityLiberal]

22. I dunno about that

the very right wing and very rethug and very racist Sheriff in my County, Rick the liar Bart is up for a vacant US Marshall position.

He would do b*sh's right wing bidding in a heartbeat, his loyalty is to his right wing friends, not the law.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Well, there you are. That's the fucking reason why our local government

is running amok with corruption. Amok, amok, amok. They're above the law.

[buff2]

12. Do we really believe anything will ever come of this?

I mean let's get real. These are ReTHUGlicans. They NEVER have to abide by the law. Only Democrats.And especially when it comes to a BJ. Now THAT'S criminal. :sarcasm:

[lyonn]

30. This is the Bushie Secret Society, no info concerning how they run

this country is to leave their control. Everything is stamped secret. Therefore, the courts must make the decision as to what can be released. This of course will take months or years. Well, like I know what I am talking about, No. Just a guess.

[jimshoes]

13. bushco is giving all of us

the big fat middle finger and daring us to do something about it. Bastard! I don't remember voting for a king.

[meldroc]

15. Time to find them in contempt of Congress.

I like the idea of finding them in inherent contempt, and having the Seargent-at-Arms of the House go out and arrest Gonzo and bring him in front of the committee in shackles.

[AuntPatsy]

17. K R this is extremely important....what ever happened to important

journalistic standards, so sad...

[truckin]

23. You are so right. I just checked MSNBC's website and there is no

mention of this story. Unbelievable.

[progressoid]

20. So, who do you call for law enforcement when law enforcement won't follow the law?

[babylonsister]

25. Now there's a question I have no answer to. nt

[Parche]

21. subpenis

So if that is the case, what are the actions they can take?
Can they send in the US Marshalls? Sheriff?

[enid602]

27. some civics lesson

If you can't rely on the THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT to carry out a subpoena. . .

[Disturbed]

28. The next step is a Contempt of Congress order.

Conyers won't back down will he?

[Vidar]

29. Go, Conyers, go!

[me b zola]

32. This should be the lead story of every newspaper & newscast

Unless Gonzo appears with these documents in hand at the hearing tomarrow he should be lead out in handcuffs. :grr:

[babylonsister]

35. Hearings have been postponed until Thursday because of VA tragedy:

BREAKING: Gonzales testimony postponed.

AP reports:

The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed Tuesday’s questioning of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on the firings of eight federal prosecutors, saying the proceedings would be inappropriate in light of the Virginia Tech shootings.

Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy made the decision Monday to postpone the long-awaited hearing that has been considered Gonzales’ last chance to quiet a controversy that has prompted calls in both parties for his resignation.

Leahy said the hearing had been rescheduled for Thursday. He said he made the decision after conferring with Gonzales and the committee’s senior Republican, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. ”All three of us agree,” he said.

”I’m sure that he will want to be dealing with the matters of the shooting,” Leahy said of Gonzales.

[me b zola]

37. Thanks, I just came from there and posted a link to this thread

...usually I would add a smiley for the serendipity, but there probably isn't anything that could make me smile right now.


I just wrote to my Representative and asked him to do whatever he can to support Rep Conyers and the Judiciary Committee to return us to the rule of law.

[diane in sf]

56. Oh puhleeeaaase...

[spanone]

34. I wonder if Congress has ever been confronted by such blatant arrogance.

I would urge them to use every possible legal procedure necessary to encourage DOJ's cooperation.

[spanone]

36. Kick

:kick:

[In Truth We Trust]

38. Contemptr of Congress! Throw the bastards in jail NOW!!!

[bonito]

39. K&R n/t

[paparush]

40. I'm still waiting for those pesky energy policy meeting notes...

[garybeck]

44. here they are:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=663920&mesg_id=663920

[jazzjunkysue]

41. The Justice department only does one thing: Justice. And they won't do it.

Is that Tony Soprano's job? Mickey Mouse? Leona Helmsley?

Martha Stewart?

If the justice department doesn't think its job is justice, what does it think its job is?

Life insurance?
Pruning the rose bushes in the rose garden?

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

42. It's time to PRESS CONTEMPT. IT'S TIME TO CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE,...

,...POWER!!!

I'd rather have an answer than to sit here, uncertain whether we are a dictatorship or democracy.

I'd rather have the UNbalanced SCOTUS rule on the issue than wonder what we really are.

TAKE IT ALL THE WAY.

At least, the American people will have sufficient certainty to make a decision about how we will behave from here forth.

[garybeck]

43. isn't it a crime to ignore a subpeona? nt

[DKRC]

47. Only for you & me - Apparently not for the DOJ

:banghead:

[rateyes]

45. Then, it's time for the committee to do its job and

cite Gonzales and others with Contempt of Congress. Automatic grounds for impeachment.

[Skip Intro]

48. Ah, its only the Justice Dept. Not like the law is any of their concern...

:sarcasm:

[HowHasItComeToThis]

49. I SURELY ENJOYED "V FOR VENDETTA"

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, DO!!!!!

[Up2Late]

50. I'm sure they were just too busy "monitoring events" from today...

...a.k.a. "watchin' the Fox 'news' on the TeeVee."

[StrictlyRockers]

51. THIS IS important. Conyers needs to nail them to the wall for this.

Congress cannot be sidelined and ignored. We the people rule this democracy.

[DearAbby]

52. Justice Dept. fails to comply with subpoena.

Let's repeat that, sounds vaguely important...Justice Dept. fails to comply with subpoena. What rule of law? The DOJ doesn't even follow the law...Jesus, we have no constitution, they have totally shredded it.

Push it to the wall Mr Conyers, Americans want to know where they stand with their government, is this a Republic based on the constitution, or is this a dictatorship? Lets just get to the bottom line here...START IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS...What am I saying, no need for a hearing...it's blatant. :nuke:

edit: some clarity

[ClayZ]

54. K and R

:kick:

[PuraVidaDreamin]

57. kick

those bastards in the ass

[EnviroBat]

59. Kick - Lets try to get back to this...

This is a crisis happening right before our eyes. The tragedy of yesterday will not be soon forgotten, but we must get our focus back. AG's moment of truth, (and I use the term loosely) has been postponed. When does he get in the hotseat? I've heard mentioned "later this week". How much more time are they going to allow him to convolute and twist his BS?

[goclark]

63. And America can't do two things at the same time?

I am grieving for the families in VA and for the staff.

Bush came out and made his statement and went back to his vampire work with Gonzo.

Let's get moving Conyers!

Don't let um play the shell game on you!

[lonestarnot]

62. contempt and jail.

[DearAbby]

64. Kick.....

[halobeam]

65. K & R !!

this is beyond unacceptable.

[drm604]

66. Kick

:kick:

[robinlynne]

67. I think they(repubs) want it to go to the supreme court. Karl Rove said as much

last fall. They said they would take every battle to the SC. their supreme court.

[On the Road]

68. It Is Absolutely Confirmed That DoJ is Refusing to Comply?

It's conceivable that they're just late. If not, it is a full-blown crisis. Hopefully there are enough federal judges who are not too deeply compromised to uphold the law. It may end up coming down to Kennedy.

[Uncle Joe]

69. Justice Dept. under Bush is analogous

to "Clean Skies", "Healthy Forests" and "Compassionate Conservatism", nothing could be further from the truth.

[Mr. Ected]

70. Could 50 Million Pissed-Off Americans Make a Citizen's Arrest?

Washington, D.C., here I come.

[DearAbby]

72. Kicking again

[unlawflcombatnt]

73. Kick

:kick: