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BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 11:40 AM Oct 2019

Pompeo says State Dept. officials won't show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week

Last edited Tue Oct 1, 2019, 03:42 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Washington Post



Secretary of State Mike Pompeo fired a broadside at House Democrats on Tuesday, saying State Department officials scheduled to appear this week before committees conducting the impeachment inquiry would not be made available until "we obtain further clarity on these matters."

The refusal, in a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.), described the demand for depositions by five officials who played a role in U.S. relations with Ukraine as "an attempt to intimidate, bully, and treat improperly, the distinguished professionals of the Department of State." The statements came as Pompeo's role in the Ukraine investigation broadened with reports that he was a participant in the July 25 call by President Trump to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, which led to the impeachment investigation.

Before that report, first published by The Wall Street Journal, Pompeo had brushed off questions about the incident, saying last week that he had not yet read the transcript of the telephone call released by the White House, or the whistleblower complaint that it sparked.

The committee, along with the House Intelligence and Oversight panels, had requested the five officials to appear for depositions this week and next, to begin Wednesday with Marie Yovanovitch, who was recalled by Pompeo as ambassador to Ukraine in May, prior to the end of her tour.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/pompeo-says-state-dept-officials-wont-show-up-for-scheduled-impeachment-depositions-this-week/2019/10/01/b350f8a2-e459-11e9-a331-2df12d56a80b_story.html



Edit - here is a copy of the letter that Pompass sent - https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/read-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-s-letter-to-the-chairman-of-the-house-foreign-affairs-committee/06381877-dc0e-445c-baf5-8a003d49b7bf/
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Pompeo says State Dept. officials won't show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Oct 2019 OP
Jail and fine for contempt. Dennis Donovan Oct 2019 #1
Yep. dalton99a Oct 2019 #2
Agreed. nt cstanleytech Oct 2019 #10
Agree!! K&R!!! The democrats need to start really kicking ass and let the chips fall where they may. RKP5637 Oct 2019 #14
Get out the handcuffs and off to jail with them. It's the only way they will get it. n/t monmouth4 Oct 2019 #36
They are going to claim executive privlege, and this will go to the courts. At the minimum it is a still_one Oct 2019 #15
F' 'em. Add another Article of Impeachment. Mike 03 Oct 2019 #3
Inherent contempt .... from wiki Botany Oct 2019 #4
Check, check and check joost5 Oct 2019 #44
I am not a lawyer nor am I smart but it . Botany Oct 2019 #65
cowards.... just think HRC was there for how many hours..11? samnsara Oct 2019 #5
Yes she was, but lunatica Oct 2019 #51
Delay, obfuscate, distract, lie, what-about-the-other-guys, litigate, delay, obfuscate, .... . . .nt Bernardo de La Paz Oct 2019 #6
Delay will continue until evening of November 3rd, 2020 at140 Oct 2019 #7
Lock him up! SunSeeker Oct 2019 #8
Contempt of Congress and obstruction of justice. redstatebluegirl Oct 2019 #9
Agree! pazzyanne Oct 2019 #47
Are we now where the rubber hits the road? It appears so to me. KPN Oct 2019 #11
Look at what was done to Chelsea Manning when she did not go for a subpoena. Went to Jail, period. RKP5637 Oct 2019 #12
Put them in jail. Delmette2.0 Oct 2019 #22
It's such damn bullshit, people refusing to show up for subpoenas, and now Barr with RKP5637 Oct 2019 #25
They are all evil, f'en evil. Delmette2.0 Oct 2019 #27
Yep, my thoughts too! ... need to start with some hard nosed action ... lock a few up! n/t RKP5637 Oct 2019 #29
This is where we find out if our party has stopped playing nice. Hotler Oct 2019 #13
K&R!!! The democrats are way too F'en nice IMO!!! n/t RKP5637 Oct 2019 #20
Sad to say, I don't believe there will be any consequences for Pompeo solara Oct 2019 #16
Just a thought, but Scarsdale Oct 2019 #57
Yes! What WOULD it take to remove Pompeo from his position I wonder? solara Oct 2019 #61
Stop all the Scarsdale Oct 2019 #62
You should send this to Pelosi & post on twitter n/t solara Oct 2019 #66
They should do everything within their powers to duforsure Oct 2019 #17
same old, same old..... northoftheborder Oct 2019 #18
Dear Democratic Party Office Holders, the time to keep powder dry is past... apnu Oct 2019 #19
that is fucking bullshit barbtries Oct 2019 #21
Ask him if Susan McDougal rings a bell. LiberalArkie Oct 2019 #23
Bingo. (nt) JaneQPublic Oct 2019 #48
I work for USDA benld74 Oct 2019 #24
it takes courage to stand up to tyrants. Pepsidog Oct 2019 #38
Career State Dept people defying Bossman benld74 Oct 2019 #63
I predict when its all uncovered duforsure Oct 2019 #26
I think they are acting as rogue as they are BumRushDaShow Oct 2019 #30
I believe this is the last straw for the Constitution. Pompeo just pushed the red button n/t librechik Oct 2019 #28
+1 Nevermypresident Oct 2019 #60
He is witness tampering, or stalling, thereby obstructing Congress. Another article of impeachment. ancianita Oct 2019 #31
Pompeo is just trying to save his sleazy ass!!!!! n/t RKP5637 Oct 2019 #32
Will someone just arrest him & giuli, I'm tired of reading about them. rickyhall Oct 2019 #33
total creepitude Lulu KC Oct 2019 #34
He too can be impeached SomewhereInTheMiddle Oct 2019 #35
Dems must stop playing nice with these thugs ! YOHABLO Oct 2019 #37
For such a "wonderful" and innocent phone call..... Chakaconcarne Oct 2019 #39
Can't you be impeached in absentia? dchill Oct 2019 #40
Can Marie Yovanovitch testify tomorrow if she wants to? Native Oct 2019 #41
Lock him up!!!! Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 2019 #42
This is the first test to see if the Dems can control Kablooie Oct 2019 #43
They'll all show up for our version of the Nuremberg trials left-of-center2012 Oct 2019 #45
Pompeo the Scoffaw is cruisin' for a bruisin' vlyons Oct 2019 #46
Hey Mike, Harvard and West Point called. JaneQPublic Oct 2019 #49
Just WHO will enforce subpoenas? Thunderbeast Oct 2019 #50
I can not find the democratic response to this orangecrush Oct 2019 #52
Infer guilt then. Pompeo, you just admitted you violated the U.S. Constitution w/your actions ffr Oct 2019 #53
This is all showing an obvous lack of checks and balances withing the laws as it is writtten LiberalLovinLug Oct 2019 #54
Lock them up, impose massive fines. onecaliberal Oct 2019 #55
Lock his arrogant ass up! world wide wally Oct 2019 #56
Inherent Contempt...................throw his ass in jail........................ turbinetree Oct 2019 #58
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: I will hide behind my staff forever even though I lied to you all Linda Ed Oct 2019 #59
Business as usual in the Trump administration. Obstruct, obfuscate, delay. Nitram Oct 2019 #64
If you're caught red handed BlueWI Oct 2019 #67
Fill that Capitol Buildin jail reggaehead Oct 2019 #68

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
14. Agree!! K&R!!! The democrats need to start really kicking ass and let the chips fall where they may.
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:04 PM
Oct 2019

The democrats are going to look too soft and easy!!!

still_one

(91,965 posts)
15. They are going to claim executive privlege, and this will go to the courts. At the minimum it is a
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:10 PM
Oct 2019

delay tactic, at the worst it is the attempted destruction of the republic



Botany

(70,291 posts)
4. Inherent contempt .... from wiki
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 11:45 AM
Oct 2019

Subpoenas
Congressional rules empower all its standing committees with the authority to compel witnesses to produce testimony and documents for subjects under its jurisdiction. Committee rules may provide for the full committee to issue a subpoena, or permit subcommittees or the chairman (acting alone or with the ranking member) to issue subpoenas.

As announced in Wilkinson v. United States, a Congressional committee must meet three requirements for its subpoenas to be "legally sufficient." First, the committee's investigation of the broad subject area must be authorized by its chamber; second, the investigation must pursue "a valid legislative purpose" but does not need to involve legislation and does not need to specify the ultimate intent of Congress; and third, the specific inquiries must be pertinent to the subject matter area that has been authorized for investigation.

The Court held in Eastland v. United States Servicemen's Fund that Congressional subpoenas are within the scope of the Speech and Debate clause which provides "an absolute bar to judicial interference" once it is determined that Members are acting within the "legitimate legislative sphere" with such compulsory process. Under that ruling, courts generally do not hear motions to quash Congressional subpoenas; even when executive branch officials refuse to comply, courts tend to rule that such matters are "political questions" unsuitable for judicial remedy. In fact, many legal rights usually associated with a judicial subpoena do not apply to a Congressional subpoena. For example, attorney-client privilege and information that is normally protected under the Trade Secrets Act do not need to be recognized.

joost5

(421 posts)
44. Check, check and check
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:04 PM
Oct 2019

It's authorized by chamber - check, it's to oversee the Exec branch - check, it's specific to the subject of T's call to Ukrainian president - check. They're trying to stall till 2020 and say it's politically motivated by the election.

Time to lock them up now.

Botany

(70,291 posts)
65. I am not a lawyer nor am I smart but it .
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 06:57 PM
Oct 2019

... seems like a clear cut case of inherent contempt to me and this is in Congress' per view.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
51. Yes she was, but
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:24 PM
Oct 2019

she was also innocent and had nothing to hide. Same can’t be said about these guys. It’s not even much of a question anymore on what the motivation for all this obfuscation, delaying tactics and general all around criminality are for. Only the truly stupid don’t see this for what it is.

Soon they’ll be whipping out the flag to wrap themselves in. You know, Scoundrels, patriotism...

KPN

(15,587 posts)
11. Are we now where the rubber hits the road? It appears so to me.
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 11:58 AM
Oct 2019

Or do we have more steps to go through? Do we provide clarity" in the form of a response letter and does that letter iterate the dates for appearance before investigative committee(?) under this subpoena and possibly threaten "inherent contempt" for further delay tactics?

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
12. Look at what was done to Chelsea Manning when she did not go for a subpoena. Went to Jail, period.
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:02 PM
Oct 2019

Right to Jail!!! The democrats need to start taking some hard nosed action!!!

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
25. It's such damn bullshit, people refusing to show up for subpoenas, and now Barr with
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:45 PM
Oct 2019

his bag of tricks. These are not nice people and F'en evil.

Delmette2.0

(4,143 posts)
27. They are all evil, f'en evil.
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:54 PM
Oct 2019

Once a few of them are jailed the next ones will think twice before refusing. (That's based on a lot of hope.)

solara

(3,832 posts)
16. Sad to say, I don't believe there will be any consequences for Pompeo
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:11 PM
Oct 2019

or his minions. This was another little Rubicon. Pompeo believes he is also above the Law and he most likely is, just like his boss, the tyrant trump.

I sure hope someone can talk me down.. but I am only one of the millions who are incredibly tired of this crap; who are worn out with the trump administration's myriad crimes that have absolutely no penalty.

I think I am done.

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
57. Just a thought, but
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:47 PM
Oct 2019

what would it take to simply REMOVE Pompeo from his position for insubordination? He will not obey the law of the land, so why should taxpayers pay his salary and perks? Also, catch Stephen Miller before he gets into the WH, arrest the little prick and jail him until he decides to talk.

solara

(3,832 posts)
61. Yes! What WOULD it take to remove Pompeo from his position I wonder?
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 05:30 PM
Oct 2019

He won't obey the Rule of Law so why should we taxpayers keep paying him to continue rubbing our faces in his arrogance? And capturing Miller on his way to the WH just goes without saying.

These are great ideas...

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
62. Stop all the
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 06:11 PM
Oct 2019

travel, too. For Pompeo, Barr and Guiliani. They are using taxpayer funded travel to encourage other countries to undermine the US.

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
17. They should do everything within their powers to
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:25 PM
Oct 2019

Make these people show up for Congress or have consequences that'll make them all take notice, instead of being able to just ignore Congress completely. Jail , fines , removal from office positions, along with refusals to answer questions or this just continues to go on without them being held accountable for anything.

apnu

(8,722 posts)
19. Dear Democratic Party Office Holders, the time to keep powder dry is past...
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:31 PM
Oct 2019

... time to hold every one of these scumbags in Contempt of Congress and formally charge them, the department heads, and Trump with Obstruction of Justice.

The time for being nice is past. Get mean, get ugly.

benld74

(9,889 posts)
24. I work for USDA
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:42 PM
Oct 2019

If Perdue said the same thing

And I was called to testify

I would still testify

Heads of these departments are POTUS selected

Workers at these departments

Are the actual workers.

benld74

(9,889 posts)
63. Career State Dept people defying Bossman
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 06:40 PM
Oct 2019

State Department inspector general tells Capitol Hill he'd like to meet tomorrow to "provide staff with copies of documents related to the State Department and Ukraine."

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
26. I predict when its all uncovered
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:53 PM
Oct 2019

He'll be one of them heading to prison, and their will be many more. Whistle blowers and leaks, and the people not willing to go to prison for trump will be exposing a lot of stuff they've been doing that was illegal, and Pompeo will either turn , or be going away.

BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
30. I think they are acting as rogue as they are
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 12:57 PM
Oct 2019

because they expect a full pardon/commutation of sentence.

35. He too can be impeached
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 01:12 PM
Oct 2019

“The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
— U.S. Constitution, Article II, section 4

The House can choose to expand the impeachment investigation to include officials who refuse to cooperate. That is one of the checks the Legislative branch has on the Executive. Although it is likely that the Senate would fail to convict in the SecState's case as well as the POTUS'.

Another is the power of the purse. The House can choose to defund some or all of the State Department or Justice Department or .... This would be massively controversial and highly irresponsible. But choosing to defund parts of the departments' budgets might be done as a targeted statement to make a stand - say the Secretary's staff or travel budget.

The third option I see is the Contempt of Congress route. I'd imagine the President can pardon anyone cited for Contempt in a federal venue, but I could be wrong. He cannot pardon from impeachment and conviction or from budget cuts.

Letting Executive officials ignore COngress breaks the delicate balance of power between the branches. It is bad for the nation.

 

YOHABLO

(7,358 posts)
37. Dems must stop playing nice with these thugs !
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 01:13 PM
Oct 2019

If we don't show the nation that no one is above the law, we'll lose.

Chakaconcarne

(2,387 posts)
39. For such a "wonderful" and innocent phone call.....
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 01:44 PM
Oct 2019

You would think they'd take this opportunity to completely shut down democrats and the fake news media....

But once again, they pass on the opportunity... very strange.

Native

(5,935 posts)
41. Can Marie Yovanovitch testify tomorrow if she wants to?
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 01:56 PM
Oct 2019

Regardless of what Pompeo says given she was fired.

Kablooie

(18,571 posts)
43. This is the first test to see if the Dems can control
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:03 PM
Oct 2019

The rampant criminality of this regime. If they can’t this impeachment isn’t going to get very far.

It is a crazy challenge when all your witnesses simply ignore the law.

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
46. Pompeo the Scoffaw is cruisin' for a bruisin'
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:11 PM
Oct 2019

Clearly an abuse of power. OK Dems -- time to exercise your power!

JaneQPublic

(7,113 posts)
49. Hey Mike, Harvard and West Point called.
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:22 PM
Oct 2019

Harvard is taking back your law degree, since you decided the law doesn't apply to you.

West Point wants to retroactively bust you down to private for taking a dump on the oath you took to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

Thunderbeast

(3,383 posts)
50. Just WHO will enforce subpoenas?
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:24 PM
Oct 2019

It is clear that Barr will not let Federal Marshals execute arrests.

The Sargent at Arms doesn't have enough arms to confront the security details of these criminals.

Who can Pelosi deputize to make arrests?

D.C. Police?
Virginia State Police?
Ginger Baker's Air Force? (Damn! Just found out Ginger is hospitalized. Best wishes.)
Mall cops from Tyson's Corners?

orangecrush

(19,237 posts)
52. I can not find the democratic response to this
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:32 PM
Oct 2019

And there needs to be one, quickly.

The headlines are making it look like he is flipping off the House and getting away with it scot free.

ffr

(22,649 posts)
53. Infer guilt then. Pompeo, you just admitted you violated the U.S. Constitution w/your actions
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:33 PM
Oct 2019

We have ceased to be a democracy. No other way to see it.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,154 posts)
54. This is all showing an obvous lack of checks and balances withing the laws as it is writtten
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 02:35 PM
Oct 2019

I guess the founders, and others after, never even contemplated the possibility of such a draconian administration. And what happens if the accused and their witnesses simply refuse to show up? There does not seem to be any recourse. A party can keep it in the courts for years in litigation. They can't arrest anyone because they will just say they are appealing the decision and so are protected until the appeal is over.

I think the only way to finally do this is rising up, surrounding the White House, like Michael Moore suggested, and demand justice.

Linda Ed

(492 posts)
59. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: I will hide behind my staff forever even though I lied to you all
Tue Oct 1, 2019, 03:03 PM
Oct 2019

Hey Pompeo, remember last week, when you lied on national TV about when you found out about the July 25 phone call with Ukraine?

A survey of 50 former American ambassadors & senior national security officials found 85% disapprove of your performance: Serious morale issues are continuing under Pompeo. No one believes he really cares about the institution or its people. On top of failing to protect the DoS from the verbal and investigatory abuses of this administration, he also traitorously is pushing foreign governments to investigate and discredit our CIA and FBI. You have no right to say our duly elected Congress can't hold this criminal administration accountable.

Democrats must be ready to immediately Impeach Pompeo and any other Trump admin official who blocks oversight in the Impeachment Hearings.

If they aren’t guilty, they will have nothing to worry about.
Complying with a Congressional subpoena when issued is part of your duty as a citizen and government personnel.

Sebastian Gorka Was a Wanted Man in Hungary the Entire Time He Worked in the White House
Why is the criminal, Seb Gorka, flying with you on government planes? He has no security clearances and no role in our government! His nebulous role at the White House was never fully defined during his eight-month tenure in the Trump administration, is wanted in connection with “firearm or ammunition abuse


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