2729

So some Republican on the House Judiciary committee just introduced an amendment to the contempt resolution to say that the committee won’t insist that the AG break the law, “but you won’t vote for it because that’s what you want him to do”.

The amendment was accepted.

2730

And that’s… good? Bad? Purple?

2731

It’s more like they thought it was some awesome trick, but then it wasn’t.

On some level though, it does cause some issues, because I believe the AG does in fact have to go to the court to get them to waive the rules on Grand jury testimony. That can be done though, and has been done in the past.

2732

It was just kind of funny that there was all this grandstanding, and the Democrats were all like, “yeah, no, you’re totally wrong”. And moved on.

They’re still discussing it. Most of the (non-grandstanding) discussion is around whether or not the subpoena that Barr is ignoring requires the parts of the Mueller report which are redacted because they are Grand Jury testimony, which apparently he’s not supposed to release. The Democrats are pretty clear saying it doesn’t, where the Republicans are saying it does.

2733

Well, they voted, and it passed, but at the end Nadler said “the amendment passes” so maybe they weren’t voting on the actual resolution? Not sure. Anyway they are adjourned until 2:30pm ET.

2734

That vote was for Nadler’s amendment, which is an acknowledgement that Trump asserted executive privilege. There’s apparently at least one more amendment in the pipeline.

I wonder if they’ll proceed to the determining vote today.

2735

This feels like it’s just busy work until Mueller actually testifies, assuming that happens. That’s supposed to be next week I believe, unless something’s come up to 100% prevent it, right?

2736

If Mueller is still technically a DOJ employee, he can’t testify. I’m unclear on his status, whether he has already left or when he leaves.

2737

He is but won’t be for much longer

Noting that Mueller is still an employee of the Justice Department, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said Trump’s claim of executive privilege could succeed in delaying the House’s efforts to access Mueller’s report and hear his testimony.

“It could while he’s still an employee of the Department. But that’s only for a couple weeks,” Nadler said.

2738

Why doesn’t he just quit now? I’m sick of this waiting game. If he actually cares about the country and justice, etc, then fricking quit the DoJ and go testify now.

2739

Probably because he is not done. There are still ongoing investigations, his successors need to be briefed, etc.

He is a prosecutor after all. They tend to take their time. The very last priority is impatient members of the general public who want the show to start asap.

2740

Senate (yes, Senate) issues subpeona to don Jr…

2741

The Senate Intelligence committee and the Armed Service committee are possibly the last working committees in Congress.

I actually saw ranking committee John Warner, refuse to go after chairmen Richard Burr, despite goading by CNN. Warner said “I have a good relationship with the Chairmen so I’m going to hear his side of the story before responding.”

2742
2743

Looks like one of the Republicans didn’t vote?

Also, Jesus, the house judiciary committee has some of the biggest pieces of absolute shit in all of government.

2744

Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Next step is Sec. Mnuchin

2745

Okay, stupid conspiracy theory time.

They give them Jr. because meeting. Dad refuses to testify, or if he does, he does a Sgt. Schulz. I KNOW NOTHING!

Jr. gets jail time because sacrificial lamb. Trump walks free.

Discuss…

2746

The Jr. thing is just a show questioning, but he may put himself in prison anyway because he’s as dumb as a sack of dildos.

2747

Yeah, I can easily see Harris getting him to admit to crimes and/or perjure himself if she wants to (and her questioning isn’t severely restricted).

2748

Dad will be updating his pardon paperwork as soon as he leaves the hearing.