a question about contempt of Congress

[flyingfysh]

If a federal official refuses to respond to a Congressional subpoena, I understand that he can be arrested for contempt of Congress.

Since that is a Federal offense, is that something that Trump can pardon? If he can, this would seem to make it harder for Congress to carry out its investigations. The natural response by Congress would then seem to be impeachment, but the current state of the Senate might make that hard to carry out.

[manor321]

1. I can't answer your questions but as an alternative the House can directly imprison someone

This hasn't been used since 1935, but it can be done, as long as it serves a legislative purpose. It was first done in 1796, when some of the Framers of the Constitution served in Congress.