Fauci in the congressional wringer: a test for Trump's newly-minted Attorney General
Contempt of Congress.It sounds bad.And it usually is.But what does it mean?Holding someone in contempt of Congress usually stems from them refusing to testify before a House or Senate committee or declining to provide documents and information requested by lawmakers.
Especially if someone rejects an inquest by subpoena. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: WHY FAUCI'S 111 FIFTH AMENDMENT PLEAS COULD END UP BEFORE THE COURTSThe Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to hold Dr.Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)You refuse to cough up the goods, and Congress may try to hold you in contempt.And if you’re held in contempt, lawmakers may send a referral to the Justice Department.That’s kind of a parliamentary suggestion box, informing the feds that House Members or senators believe you’ve earned prosecution. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted recently to hold Dr.
Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions at a hearing.The panel issued a subpoena to compel Fauci’s compliance.
Republican senators say that’s all the more reason why Fauci should testify.They point to his pardon by then-President Joe Biden.
That’s why they believe Fauci was obligated to answer their inquiries.Instead, he invoked the Fifth Amendment."On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution," said Fauci.Twenty-one words.
Uttered an astounding 111 times.That’s a grand total of 2,331 words.
Fauci never deviated from the script.WATCH: GOP SPLIT OVER RAND PAUL’S DOJ STRATEGY IN FAUCI CONTEMPT PUSHDemocrats say it was a Republican ruse."The goal was to wait for Dr.Fauci to make any kind of misstatement and then have a weaponized Department of Justice file criminal charges for that new statement that would not have been covered by the pardon," said Sen.
Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.So the panel took action....