Congress' new Mueller fight: Do Dems need to begin impeachment to see secret files?

[DonViejo]

By KYLE CHENEY 04/06/2019 08:43 AM EDT

Do Democrats have to begin the process of impeaching President Donald Trump in order to access special counsel Robert Mueller’s secrets?

That legal debate began raging inside the House Judiciary Committee on Friday after a new federal court ruling suggested that Congress’ access to some confidential evidence — like the kind obtained by Mueller — hinges on lawmakers launching a “judicial proceeding.”

Republicans on the committee say the only “judicial proceeding” Congress can lead is an impeachment inquiry -- a claim they say is backed up by legal precedent and history. Democrats would have to launch one against Trump if they want Mueller’s grand jury evidence, Republicans say.

That interpretation would be problematic for Democratic leaders in Congress, who have little interest in launching a politically explosive impeachment process at the moment. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said it’s not worth the House’s time and other top Democrats have said it’s premature while they conduct their own investigations and await the details of Mueller’s findings.

But it’s a fight that could animate the next few weeks and months as Democrats attempt to pry loose as much information from Mueller’s probe as they can. They’re still awaiting access to a redacted version of Mueller’s 400-page report, which Attorney General William Barr has indicated he’ll deliver by mid-April. But Democrats say Congress must see an unredacted version of the report and Mueller’s underlying evidence -- even if Barr has to get a judge to unseal the grand jury material it contains.

more
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/06/mueller-impeachment-democrats-1259917

[manor321]

1. I had wondered that. Time to start impeachment proceedings!

We can just say Republicans forced us to do it.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. YESSSSS!! Impeachment hearings should be started IMMEDIATELY!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[greymattermom]

3. So they need to have the hearings to decide whether or not to bring impeachment charges.

What's wrong with that? They will vote on impeachment AFTER they see the evidence, right?

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. Impeachment is the one congressional duty with established legal precedent to get GJ material

Courts have ruled in the Watergate case that congress could have access to grand jury evidence, (aka Rule 6e), that is otherwise not allowed, in order to carry out the duty of impeachment.

What isn't clear to me is does congress have to convene formal impeachment hearings, or can Nadler simply state the Judiciary committee is initiating an "investigation" related to their impeachment powers?

[beachbum bob]

5. not yet as Pelosi has many ways to get documents. This game has not even started yet