General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat happens when the head of DNI and NSA refused
To answer non classified questions by the Senate oversight committee? What world are we in? This is ridiculous to say the least. Can you imagine a democratic administration doing this?
On edit: Rachel Maddow just said that Coates told people about the conversation with trump when asked to intervene in the investigation at the time it happened.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,270 posts)That can be done if a witness fails to comply with a subpoena or appear to testify; I assume it could be use if a witness appeared but refused to answer questions. The person can be fined or even imprisoned, but I doubt this Congress has the stones to do this.
Imperialism Inc.
(2,495 posts)If they were to try to invoke executive privilege that would presumably be a legal matter but just refusing to answer makes it political matter. A dare. "I dare you to charge two decorated intelligence officials."
spanone
(135,632 posts)yet comey will speak and answer questions...
The Blue Flower
(5,419 posts)Not answering is also an answer. I think everyone sees that.
DefenseLawyer
(11,101 posts)John Dean: "I'd rather not say"
Howard Baker: "Alrighty then, thanks for stoppin' by"
onecaliberal
(32,478 posts)And contempt charges leveled. It appeared as though even republicans were taken by surprise at the non responses.
monmouth4
(9,664 posts)a kennedy
(29,462 posts)world wide wally
(21,718 posts)onecaliberal
(32,478 posts)ecstatic
(32,566 posts)I didn't see most of the hearings, but it seemed that McCain got them to acknowledge (in a roundabout way) that it was true.
DURHAM D
(32,595 posts)They are all covering for Trump so they can keep their job.
Rogers is particularly dirty and I believe he was probably sponsored by Flynn given that he was about to be fired by the Obama administration for poor job performance.
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)exactly as you said -- probably about Flynn.
I can see why Rogers was about to be fired. He's a cocky jerk and has been enabled by Trump and he loves Trump for that. But he's more than a brown-noser. He's completely dirty.
roamer65
(36,739 posts)It must be pretty bad.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,270 posts)Rogers got rather belligerent and Coats got tongue-tied. Something is really malodorous here - those guys obviously don't want to perjure themselves but it sure looks like they were told in no uncertain terms not to discuss any conversations they had with Himself. Why? And what did he threaten Coats and Rogers with?
Maybe they will end up testifying in a closed session but sooner or later that testimony will probably become public. Is Dolt 45 just trying to delay the progress of the investigation if he can't stop it?
onecaliberal
(32,478 posts)To him and several in his administration
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)Let's not forget, people who refused to answer whether they were members of the Communist party were jailed for a year or more - a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. You don't get to arbitrarily refuse to answer questions from the Congress. You have four outs:
1) You assert your Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination. They did not do that.
2) The President asserts and officially invoke Executive Privilege. That did not happen
3) The information is classified. It was not.
4) An investigator of an ongoing investigation officially requests that you not divulge X information. That was asked, and denied.
THAT'S IT. There are no other bases for refusing to answer an inquiry from a duly appointed member of Congress in a duly constituted Congressional hearing. They violated the Constitution with impunity, which puts us in a full blown Constitutional crisis. The Executive Branch has decided that it is not beholden to the Congress. Period. That's what happened today.
It is an outrage beyond anything I've ever seen before.