Pompeo says State Dept. officials won’t show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week

[Fort Fun Indiana]

So..the stonewalling begins..will it work? Or..will it just pour gas on an already burning fire?
I sense Pompeo may be panicking just a bit..after all...what harm could there be..if all was on the up and up?

Pompeo says State Dept. officials won’t show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week

"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo fired a broadside at House Democrats on Tuesday, saying State Department officials scheduled to appear this week before committees conducting the impeachment inquiry would not be made available until “we obtain further clarity on these matters.”
The refusal, in a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.), described the demand for depositions by five officials who played a role in U.S. relations with Ukraine as “an attempt to intimidate, bully, and treat improperly, the distinguished professionals of the Department of State.”
The statements came as Pompeo’s role in the Ukraine investigation broadened with reports that he was a participant in the July 25 call by President Trump to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, which led to the impeachment investigation.

Before that report, first published by The Wall Street Journal, Pompeo had brushed off questions about the incident, saying last week that he had not yet read the transcript of the telephone call released by the White House, or the whistleblower complaint that it sparked.
The committee, along with the House Intelligence and Oversight panels, had requested the five officials to appear for depositions this week and next, to begin Wednesday with Marie Yovanovitch, who was recalled by Pompeo as ambassador to Ukraine in May, prior to the end of her tour.
Other State Department officials scheduled for depositions include Kurt Volker, the administration’s special envoy to Ukraine, who resigned last week; Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent; U.S. ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland; and State Department Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl."

What does the state department have to do with a whistleblower complaint against Trump????????????

 

[okfine]

He's smart. He will wait till all the evidence one way or another is in.

Only a lefty loon like you would call that stone walling.

He looked like a trapped rat on Sunday's news. Good luck.

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

Epic Fail...

No official investigation... Nothing to respond to... IE: Not worried..

This is not what 'not worried' looks like. Not worried would be total laughing compliance...and amusement as the the Committee tried to prove a nothing burger.

Stonewalling makes it look like 'something'--and the committee is not going away.

but nothing like what deleting 33k mails and destroying hard drives would look like, huh?

What does one have to do with the other..this false comparison that keeps cropping up...only some very amoral people would think that one bad act, by Clinton..somehow excuses another bad act..by Trump--or whoever.
All bad acts stand on their own..ethically.
Bringing up Clinton or Obama or Biden....has no relevance when investigating someone else's bad acts.

Hang them all..if all need to be hung. But excuse none..for the actions of another.

Tit for tat does not fly..legally or ethically.

oh you can fuck off with that shit. the left has said JUST PERSONAL MAIL and NEVER validated it and NOT ONE GOD DAMN TIME CARED OUT THE OPTICS LOOKED.

now you're trying to go after someone else for something that "looks" bad when you protect your side from "looks bad" to the death.

god damn tired of this hypocritical bullshit.

Lefty owns no mirrors.

Jo

I have many mirrors..and I'm able to look in them every day..knowing that I see a truthful, caring human being...who is as even-handed as circumstances allow.

Can you say the same?

It is amusing that many of the posters here literally are unable to comprehend that someone who is just a bit right of center can still despise Trump and what he has done to our politics and to our country.

Oh well..your ignorance is not my problem.

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

Given that the second reason is not founded or grounded in any fact

A stupid response. The inquiry exists to find the facts. You are saying idiotic things.

He has every right to refuse an improper subpoena.

He has no right to refuse a congressional subpoena. Ever. You are the only person on The planet trying to peddle this absurd nonsense.

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

Given all that, Pompeo should require them to bring specific charges and detail the issues that will be on the table.

Well, the first reason that is silly is that the impeachment inquiry exists to find out what charges, if any, should be brought.

The second reason it is silly is that the requests from the committee have been very specific:

"related to reported efforts by President Trump and his associates to improperly pressure the Ukrainian government to assist the President's bid for reelection."

The third reason is that Pompeii has no such rights to demand any of that. His refusal is only provided cover by the fact that the DOJ will not prosecute him for defiance, and that the Congress is not yet to the point of invoking their powers regarding inherent contempt.

Given that the second reason is not founded or grounded in any fact, that would require much more clarification from the Congress. A good reason to do as I said.

He has every right to refuse an improper subpoena.

The impeachment farce should already have an agenda with a detailed listing of reports from Justice of an independent investigation listing the concerns and wrong doings of the President in order to justify the impeachment. They have none of that and Pompeo is under no obligation to aid them in their witch hunt

Congress is not above the Executive branch.

Actually, it kinda is.
I don't know how much you know about our Govt. history..but there have been many confrontations between Congress and the White House..Congress has won almost all of them.

If Congress were to issue a warrant..they would find someone to serve it..and then Trump can use his pardon power....and Congress can re-issue the supeana..and arrest the person again...and again...and again.

 

[CWayne]

Given that the second reason is not founded or grounded in any fact

A stupid response. The inquiry exists to find the facts. You are saying idiotic things.

He has every right to refuse an improper subpoena.

He has no right to refuse a congressional subpoena. Ever. You are the only person on The planet trying to peddle this absurd nonsense.

Of course, he does. You let me know when you can act like an adult and we'll talk about it.

Until then, I'll continue to express my own views and ideas and be the first to let you know I don't really value your opinion when all you can do is act as a six-year-old bully.

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

Of course, he does.

Hmm, no, you're wrong by every measure, and you are just making stuff up.

 

[CWayne]

Given all that, Pompeo should require them to bring specific charges and detail the issues that will be on the table.

Well, the first reason that is silly is that the impeachment inquiry exists to find out what charges, if any, should be brought.

The second reason it is silly is that the requests from the committee have been very specific:

"related to reported efforts by President Trump and his associates to improperly pressure the Ukrainian government to assist the President's bid for reelection."

The third reason is that Pompeii has no such rights to demand any of that. His refusal is only provided cover by the fact that the DOJ will not prosecute him for defiance, and that the Congress is not yet to the point of invoking their powers regarding inherent contempt.

Given that the second reason is not founded or grounded in any fact, that would require much more clarification from the Congress. A good reason to do as I said.

He has every right to refuse an improper subpoena.

The impeachment farce should already have an agenda with a detailed listing of reports from Justice of an independent investigation listing the concerns and wrong doings of the President in order to justify the impeachment. They have none of that and Pompeo is under no obligation to aid them in their witch hunt

Congress is not above the Executive branch.

Actually, it kinda is.
I don't know how much you know about our Govt. history..but there have been many confrontations between Congress and the White House..Congress has won almost all of them.

If Congress were to issue a warrant..they would find someone to serve it..and then Trump can use his pardon power....and Congress can re-issue the supeana..and arrest the person again...and again...and again.

In actuality, even if they managed to enforce a subpoena, Pompeo and his staff can answer every question with, "Executive Privilege", thereby creating the exact same outcome.

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

This is not what 'not worried' looks like. Not worried would be total laughing compliance...and amusement as the the Committee tried to prove a nothing burger.

Stonewalling makes it look like 'something'--and the committee is not going away.

but nothing like what deleting 33k mails and destroying hard drives would look like, huh?

What does one have to do with the other..this false comparison that keeps cropping up...only some very amoral people would think that one bad act, by Clinton..somehow excuses another bad act..by Trump--or whoever.
All bad acts stand on their own..ethically.
Bringing up Clinton or Obama or Biden....has no relevance when investigating someone else's bad acts.

Hang them all..if all need to be hung. But excuse none..for the actions of another.

Tit for tat does not fly..legally or ethically.

oh you can fuck off with that shit. the left has said JUST PERSONAL MAIL and NEVER validated it and NOT ONE GOD DAMN TIME CARED OUT THE OPTICS LOOKED.

now you're trying to go after someone else for something that "looks" bad when you protect your side from "looks bad" to the death.

god damn tired of this hypocritical bullshit.

***yawn*** and if i were a Democrat..or a Leftist..and had said such things....sure. I have no real side...I despise Trump and yet have defended him when the Left's shit became egregious. I called for Clinton to drop out of the race a year before the election...about the same time that i said the same about Trump. This is not that...and the utter enthusiasm that the Trump faction is showing in bringing up anything they can to deflect from this latest is telling, to me.

Of course, I'm not a Dem..and i haven't said any of that.. so your dismissal looks to me like classic deflection.

If you are tired of dishonesty and hypocrisy...perhaps you might give your side a good hard look.

ok - so talking to you is useless and your YAWN bullshit is also why people can't talk over why we are so divided.

i simply don't give a flying FUCK at this point how things "LOOK". prove it or shut the fuck up.

Well..we do agree on that much..so STFU! I need 'prove' nothing--I just put my points out there..and let you rat fucks piss on them.

We are divided because the powers that be like it that way...

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

In actuality, even if they managed to enforce a subpoena, Pompeo and his staff can answer every question with, "Executive Privilege", thereby creating the exact same outcome.

False. I mean, they can SAY they are all the queen of england, and then congress will hold them in contempt and just have more justification and political cover for subpoenaing every document they ever touched.

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

Given all that, Pompeo should require them to bring specific charges and detail the issues that will be on the table.

Well, the first reason that is silly is that the impeachment inquiry exists to find out what charges, if any, should be brought.

The second reason it is silly is that the requests from the committee have been very specific:

"related to reported efforts by President Trump and his associates to improperly pressure the Ukrainian government to assist the President's bid for reelection."

The third reason is that Pompeii has no such rights to demand any of that. His refusal is only provided cover by the fact that the DOJ will not prosecute him for defiance, and that the Congress is not yet to the point of invoking their powers regarding inherent contempt.

Given that the second reason is not founded or grounded in any fact, that would require much more clarification from the Congress. A good reason to do as I said.

He has every right to refuse an improper subpoena.

The impeachment farce should already have an agenda with a detailed listing of reports from Justice of an independent investigation listing the concerns and wrong doings of the President in order to justify the impeachment. They have none of that and Pompeo is under no obligation to aid them in their witch hunt

Congress is not above the Executive branch.

Actually, it kinda is.
I don't know how much you know about our Govt. history..but there have been many confrontations between Congress and the White House..Congress has won almost all of them.

If Congress were to issue a warrant..they would find someone to serve it..and then Trump can use his pardon power....and Congress can re-issue the supeana..and arrest the person again...and again...and again.

In actuality, even if they managed to enforce a subpoena, Pompeo and his staff can answer every question with, "Executive Privilege", thereby creating the exact same outcome.

True enough..of course..the optics to that course would be horrible..possibly worse than actual answers.

 

[Hum Dinger]

Subpoena - Wikipedia

 

[CWayne]

Although I am reminded of another administration who had an officer of the executive just ignore a subpoena,

Was it Holder or what's his name in Chicago?

Oh, yes. It was Eric Holder.

He refused to comply with the subpoena and when charged with contempt, managed to get away with charge because the Obama Justice Department refused to prosecute.

Hmm...I wonder if Barr would refuse to prosecute a contempt charge held against Pompeo?

I'll have to do some research on his background to see how closely he holds to the enforcement of the law. Given he hasn't indicted anyone about the Russian hoax yet, I'd wager he doesn't hold too tightly to it.

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

He refused to comply with the subpoena and when charged with contempt, managed to get away with charge because the Obama Justice Department refused to prosecute.

Exactly as I told you. Instead of agreeing, you had a knee-jerk,dumb reaction. But now you agree.

 

[CWayne]

Given all that, Pompeo should require them to bring specific charges and detail the issues that will be on the table.

Well, the first reason that is silly is that the impeachment inquiry exists to find out what charges, if any, should be brought.

The second reason it is silly is that the requests from the committee have been very specific:

"related to reported efforts by President Trump and his associates to improperly pressure the Ukrainian government to assist the President's bid for reelection."

The third reason is that Pompeii has no such rights to demand any of that. His refusal is only provided cover by the fact that the DOJ will not prosecute him for defiance, and that the Congress is not yet to the point of invoking their powers regarding inherent contempt.

Given that the second reason is not founded or grounded in any fact, that would require much more clarification from the Congress. A good reason to do as I said.

He has every right to refuse an improper subpoena.

The impeachment farce should already have an agenda with a detailed listing of reports from Justice of an independent investigation listing the concerns and wrong doings of the President in order to justify the impeachment. They have none of that and Pompeo is under no obligation to aid them in their witch hunt

Congress is not above the Executive branch.

Actually, it kinda is.
I don't know how much you know about our Govt. history..but there have been many confrontations between Congress and the White House..Congress has won almost all of them.

If Congress were to issue a warrant..they would find someone to serve it..and then Trump can use his pardon power....and Congress can re-issue the supeana..and arrest the person again...and again...and again.

In actuality, even if they managed to enforce a subpoena, Pompeo and his staff can answer every question with, "Executive Privilege", thereby creating the exact same outcome.

True enough..of course..the optics to that course would be horrible..possibly worse than actual answers.

I agree. I'm not actually advocating he do that. I'm just speculating on what options he has and considering what kind of person he is and whether or not he'd go that far.

 

[CWayne]

He refused to comply with the subpoena and when charged with contempt, managed to get away with charge because the Obama Justice Department refused to prosecute.

Exactly as I told you. Instead of agreeing, you had a knee-jerk,dumb reaction. But now you agree.

Not really. You said he could not ignore it.

Clearly there is precedent for doing just that, so yes, he can just ignore it.

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

Not really. You said he could not ignore it.

False. I said he had no right to do so. Clearly. Please pay attention. I said he is only provided cover for doing so, because the DOJ will not prosecute him for defiance.

In other words, exactly what you just supported with your example.

Like i said....

 

[Katniss]

"If I were Pompeo, I believe I would say 'Go to Hell'. If I were Pompeo."

Be careful what you wish for. The republicans will not be in power forever. Setting this precedence will allow those that come after this Administration to do the same.

 

[g5000]

So..the stonewalling begins..will it work? Or..will it just pour gas on an already burning fire?
I sense Pompeo may be panicking just a bit..after all...what harm could there be..if all was on the up and up?

Pompeo says State Dept. officials won’t show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week

I remember when Attorney General Holder tried that. He was cited for contempt and had to resign.

 

[CWayne]

So..the stonewalling begins..will it work? Or..will it just pour gas on an already burning fire?
I sense Pompeo may be panicking just a bit..after all...what harm could there be..if all was on the up and up?

Pompeo says State Dept. officials won’t show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week

I remember when Attorney General Holder tried that. He was cited for contempt.

Yes, and what happened to him?

Nothing happened.

The Obama Justice Department decided to not bring any criminal charges or bother to prosecute. As much as I know, he is still a free man living his life and still ignoring the subpoena.