Whitaker says he won't testify unless Democrats drop their subpoena threat

[Eugene]

LBN thread: House panel authorizes subpoena for acting attorney general

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Source: Washington Post

Whitaker says he won’t testify unless Democrats drop their subpoena threat

By Karoun Demirjian and Devlin Barrett February 7 at 12:45 PM

Acting attorney general Matthew G. Whitaker said he will not appear before Congress Friday without assurances he won’t be subpoenaed — giving Democrats a deadline of 6 p.m. Thursday to respond.

Whitaker’s move came shortly after the House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to give its chairman the authority to subpoena Whitaker’s testimony, should he fail to appear or answer lawmakers’ questions.

Democrats have vowed to press Whitaker at the hearing about his conversations with President Trump, and Whitaker’s decision not to recuse himself from special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

“I remain willing to appear to testify tomorrow, provided that the chairman assures me that the committee will not issue a subpoena today or tomorrow, and that the committee will engage in good faith negotiations before taking such a step down the road,” Whitaker said in a statement.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/house-panel-authorizes-subpoena-for-acting-attorney-general-whitaker-just-in-case/2019/02/07/1e5ec47a-2af2-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html

[niyad]

1. sooooo, the "acting" (so apropos, yes????) top law enforcement officer in US says FU to

a legitimate investigation??

got it.

[Grasswire2]

2. Haul his ass in there, U.S. Marshals. Capitol police.

Whatever it takes.

Outrageous.

[RockRaven]

3. Hey dumbass, refusing to testify ensures that you'll get served with that subpeona. Maybe you

should, along with your other homework, read up on Congress's inherent contempt powers. You will become intimately familiar with them if you keep up with this impotent bluster.

[Skraxx]

4. What A Dumbass, That's A Good Way to GUARANTEE They Subpoena You, Stoopid.

[DURHAM D]

5. He is as dumb as Trump. nt

[gratuitous]

6. That's not how it works, Matthew

Perhaps you're a couple of months behind, but we had an election back in November, and the American people resoundingly demanded some accountability from the Trump administration. You can resign anytime you like and walk away, but for now you're the one and only Attorney General of the United States. The House of Representatives has some questions for you. So get your ass up to Capitol Hill, get sworn in, and testify.

[Goodheart]

7. He's not the brightest bulb in the box, is he?

"I'm happy to testify, trust me, but only if you don't require me to, in which case let's forget the whole thing because it's not required, anyway!"

[treestar]

8. A subpoena requires him to come or be in contempt

what leverage does he think he has here? It's imaginary.

[librechik]

9. not so fast, Mr. Clean.

Does that mean you are going to jail for contempt or pleading the fifth?It's either or, not mommy let me slide on my homework so can I slide on this?

what tripe!

[FreepFryer]

10. Fuck you buddy. Better shave your ankle for that bracelet. (n/t)

[2naSalit]

12. +1

[2naSalit]

11. Not so fast Bluto...

They are going to subpoena your ass now for sure, flaming imbecile.

[duforsure]

13. Why should he be entitled to anything

Just like anyone else. Law enforcement should be ashamed of this idiot now, and who appointed him. HE will testify before them period, or face consequences for not appearing. If he get assurances for him no to show up from any actions against him , that's more obstruction of justice, and he will suffer from his refusals to appear. So will anyone preventing him from showing up. He's not above the rule of law. If its taken to court these idiots refusing will regret not appearing.

[malaise]

14. This is important

Get thee to the greatest page

I dare him

[kentuck]

15. They should drop subpoena threat and give him a chance to answer.

They should get him on record as refusing to answer several questions.

Trump will likely appoint him to another position so he can continue to give him executive privilege?

[bdamomma]

20. Catch him

in many lies, will seal his fate.

[triron]

21. No way.

[bigtree]

16. why assert this unless he's trying to conceal something?

...Nadler should not preemptively relinquish his subpoena power to this duplicitous shill.

This White House hasn't been forthcoming in the past. There's every indication by these demands that they won't be this time around.

[Adrahil]

17. I would just say....

"if you show, no subpoena. Otherwise, you will be served."

[Windy City Charlie]

18. The Next Thing

If they allow this, then the next thing will most likely be he'll want to do it without an oath. Sounds like Matty boy has something to hide.

[kentuck]

19. Is anyone surprised?

Did anyone really expect him to show up tomorrow?

[NewJeffCT]

22. if Democrats let him get away with refusing to testify

everybody else in the White House is going to do the same damn thing.

Issue the subpoena and if he still refuses to show, hold him in Contempt.