Question, does the Justice department have any say in impeachment?

[alfredo]

We see that bush is using Justice to block contempt charges.

Can bush use Executive orders to counter any impeachment/removal by congress? Can he claim his war powers to counter any action against his authority?

[rusty charly]

1. i think impeachment proceedings are insulated

from efforts by the president to protect himself. otherwise, there's be no actual impeaching if the president could just sidestep it.

[DURHAM D]

2. I think the problem is in the research.

Congress needs help from justice to ferret out the information needed - they won't get it.

[alfredo]

4. That's a real problem. We need a Justice Department that is loyal to

the law, not to just one man.

[alfredo]

8. Remember, bush admitted to breaking FISA laws.

[ThomWV]

3. No, but its possible the Solicitor General might defend him, maybe not, I don't know ...

[alfredo]

6. If we can put dictatorship in the public space, any actions to defend bush

would be seen as defending a tyrant.

[stellanoir]

5. Chief Justice of the SCOTUS presides over the proceedings in the Senate.

[alfredo]

7. And he can't be counted on to do the right thing.

[stellanoir]

9. Ya think. . .?

[alfredo]

11. My wife says I am the master of the understatement.

[stellanoir]

14. Your wife is cool IMHO.

[alfredo]

16. That's an understatement.

[stellanoir]

22. LOL

Glad you appreciate her.

I grew up surrounded by swamp Yankees so I'm not unfamiliar with understated humor.

It can be totally refreshing for sure.

Keep it up.

[alfredo]

24. first and last wife. Never had to impeach her, nor her me.

[billyoc]

10. Impeachment is not a legal proceeding.

It's a political activity. No Justice Dept. involvement.

[alfredo]

13. Good. Can John Roberts scuttle a removal vote?

[salin]

17. I don't believe he can, nor does he have a vote.

[alfredo]

18. So he just monitors the proceedings and reports the outcome.

[salin]

19. That is what I remember from the Clinton hearings - Renquist's role was

primarily ceremonial

[alfredo]

26. Just shut up and look important. That's fine.

[H2O Man]

12. No.

Impeachment, which is a process of civil law, rather than criminal law, does not involve the executive branch of government per say.

[alfredo]

15. That's good news. Does bush have to show before congress any time

during the proceedings?

[MonkeyFunk]

21. No

Clinton never appeared during his impeachment and trial.

[LiberalFighter]

23. As someone posted before... Senator Mike Mansfield in an interview with Barbara Walters

Stated that there would be a hearing and it would be televised. He didn't elaborate and didn't stick around to say anything more.

It's not the impeachment proceeding but damaging enough when it is televised and under oath. And possibly because of that Nixon resigned.

Can everyone imagine what the hearing would be like with good interrogators questioning Bush under oath and under the scrutiny of the public? How long would it take for Bush to crack?

[alfredo]

25. What would happen if he refused to show, claiming executive privilege?

[LiberalFighter]

27. Cardboard stand in. Speaker with his voice spliced for the answers.

[alfredo]

28. At least it doesn't fart.

[bemildred]

20. Well, clearly not. Only Bush can decide whether to impeach himself or not. nt