I agree there should be no prosecutions arising out of the 1/6 hearings, but I think it would be appropriate for Congress to investigate, for example, whether, as charged, Liz Cheney improperly influenced a witness, and whether the Committee deep-sixed some of its records, improperly claimed Trump didn't authorize use of the DC National Guard, failed to explore the role of the mayor and the speaker of the house in the matter, and generally gave kangaroo courts a good name. Jim Dueholm.
Is there an element mandating prosecution for crimes such as the perjury described above? The discretion allowed as to whether or not to prosecute shouldnt be. Make it mandatory upon discovery of the alleged perjury; jail all who defy congressional subpoenas, equally. I agree that trying to make a case against Garland et al is a waste of time, resources and money. Plus it would confirm biases re Trump and his anticipated actions. Instead dig through and prosecute each and every instance like the above, and similar situations. As a parent my word is mud the very first time I don't proceed with a threatened consequence. We need to make the laws bare the teeth they were given and use them, even handedly, so that things that should have meaning and gravitas, do. This should be non - partisan of course and maybe it would go a ways towards restoring some respect for our institutions.
You are right of course, but I have often wondered whether lying to Congress should be a crime, and even whether Congress should be able to administer the oath or be able to subpoena witnesses.
Compelling testimony (other than from the defendant) in a criminal or even civil trial is defensible on two grounds.
1. Fellow citizens--defendants and victims--are at risk of real harm if the truth does not come out. Subpoenas and required testimony create a reciprocal duty: every citizen gets both a right and an obligation.
2. Trial procedure is highly structured by rules of evidence that prevent subjecting witnesses to fishing expeditions. The lawyers can't ask just anything and the opposing lawyer is there to object. But congressman can ask anything and do that all the time. Testifying before Congress any witness can be stripped naked.
Most of all, how does Congress oblige citizens to tell the truth--even when not under oath--when Congressmen lie all the time.
I agree there should be no prosecutions arising out of the 1/6 hearings, but I think it would be appropriate for Congress to investigate, for example, whether, as charged, Liz Cheney improperly influenced a witness, and whether the Committee deep-sixed some of its records, improperly claimed Trump didn't authorize use of the DC National Guard, failed to explore the role of the mayor and the speaker of the house in the matter, and generally gave kangaroo courts a good name. Jim Dueholm.
Is there an element mandating prosecution for crimes such as the perjury described above? The discretion allowed as to whether or not to prosecute shouldnt be. Make it mandatory upon discovery of the alleged perjury; jail all who defy congressional subpoenas, equally. I agree that trying to make a case against Garland et al is a waste of time, resources and money. Plus it would confirm biases re Trump and his anticipated actions. Instead dig through and prosecute each and every instance like the above, and similar situations. As a parent my word is mud the very first time I don't proceed with a threatened consequence. We need to make the laws bare the teeth they were given and use them, even handedly, so that things that should have meaning and gravitas, do. This should be non - partisan of course and maybe it would go a ways towards restoring some respect for our institutions.
You are right of course, but I have often wondered whether lying to Congress should be a crime, and even whether Congress should be able to administer the oath or be able to subpoena witnesses.
Compelling testimony (other than from the defendant) in a criminal or even civil trial is defensible on two grounds.
1. Fellow citizens--defendants and victims--are at risk of real harm if the truth does not come out. Subpoenas and required testimony create a reciprocal duty: every citizen gets both a right and an obligation.
2. Trial procedure is highly structured by rules of evidence that prevent subjecting witnesses to fishing expeditions. The lawyers can't ask just anything and the opposing lawyer is there to object. But congressman can ask anything and do that all the time. Testifying before Congress any witness can be stripped naked.
Most of all, how does Congress oblige citizens to tell the truth--even when not under oath--when Congressmen lie all the time.