Set aside impeachment. Mnunchin, the DNI and more are ignoring laws that say they "SHALL"

[TeamPooka]

share certain info, like Trump's tax returns, and the Ukraine whistle-blower report, with Congress.

They have ignored these laws and suffer no penalty or punishment.

What can Democrats do about this ongoing pattern of obstruction of justice?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. act like Republicans: waterboard the bastards!

Ok, seriously, I don't know.

[Mike 03]

2. Two new ideas have recently been discussed

I don't know if I can accurately explain them but this is how I understand it:

"Inherent Contempt" where the House of Representatives assumes the legal power to conduct a trial, where they can find someone testifying before them guilty of contempt. I believe they can actually arrest someone for failing to comply with congressional rules.

"Writ of Mandamus": An immediate (or at least fast) court procedure for FORCING someone in violation of a law (The "SHALL" you are talking about). Failure to comply with this order can result in criminal penalties.

[TeamPooka]

3. Let's do that

[NCLefty]

4. Republicans will use those against us whenever they retake the House, but it seems we need this now.

[DENVERPOPS]

8. No need

No need for Inherent Contempt or Writ of Mandamus..........

Pelosi has issued yet another "Sternly Worded Letter"...................

The truth is, that we went past the point of no return when Trump was illegally and corruptly put in office in 2016 by a foreign power, who also was our biggest adversary..........

WASF

[malaise]

5. You nailed it

They broke the fucking LAW - lock them up

[OnDoutside]

6. They're already taking them to court. It takes time for appeals. It's frustrating for all of us, but

apart from people marching on the streets, we have to wait for courts to enforce the law.

[Kentonio]

7. There's a danger though

With this 24 hour news cycle we have now, by the time something goes through the courts the GOP spin machine has already convinced large numbers of the public that the charges are fake. It makes it a lot harder to get them back on board once the courts finally rule.

Hopefully the weight of evidence will be enough anyway, but it’s such a dangerous time for the country right now.

[OnDoutside]

9. There's danger all over the place unfortunately. I suspect the danger Pelosi is trying to avoid is

Democrats calling an impeachment Inquiry and it turns out to be a damp squib, because Trump will block every witness and every scrap of a document. They've a load of court cases working through the system, and all they would have are "low grade" witnesses, if they started right now. Trump would have a field day rubbishing them, and the Dems could end up battered and bruised. If the Democrats wait until they at least have SOME wins, like on Trump's taxes (which is very likely with Richie Neal's case), then they have something meaty to start an Impeachment Inquiry with.

[spanone]

10. Impeachment is the tool the Constitution gave us.

[maxsolomon]

11. The courts must back up Congress.

It has to be timely; but it won't be instant.