House could arrest Holder with inherent contempt power

Washington Times ^ | Friday June 13, 2012

[Bigtigermike]

Despite voting to hold Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in contempt of Congress, there’s little House Republicans can do in the short term to compel him to turn over documents — unless it wanted to revisit a long-dormant power and arrest him.

The thought is shocking, and conjures up a Hollywood-ready standoff scene between House police and the FBI agents who protect the attorney general. It’s a dramatic and unlikely possibility not least because Congress doesn’t even have a jail any longer. But in theory it could happen.

Republicans say it’s not even under consideration, with House Speaker John A. Boehner’s spokesman flatly ruling it out.

But the process, known as inherent contempt, is well-established by precedent, has been confirmed by multiple Supreme Court rulings, and is available to any Congress willing to force such a confrontation.

“The House is scared to death to use the inherent contempt power,” said Mort Rosenberg, a fellow at the Constitution Project and author of “When Congress Comes Calling.” “They’re scared to death because the courts have said … the way the contempt power is used is unseemly. It’s not that it’s unconstitutional, because it’s been upheld by four Supreme Court decisions, but unseemly to have somebody go arrest the attorney general.”

[muawiyah]

A trial before the House itself, followed by swift punishment, is just the thing Congress needs to reassert its primacy.

Remember, the Supreme Court only restricts the Executive ~ each House has total power that may be exercised at will. If Boehner won't do it he could be reminded of what happened to Georges Jacques Danton. Someone there will do the job that can be done to drive back the Executive's jack booted thugs.

[muawiyah]

A bank of solar cells on the roof attached by a heavy current carrying line to the headrest on the chair.

I love it.

Low cost electrocutions during daylight hours!

[DannyTN]

"It'd have ONE CHAIR ~Hooked up to Green Nuclear Energy. There fixed it !!"

Use something more reliable than green energy.

[DannyTN]

"It'd have ONE CHAIR ~Hooked up to Green Nuclear Energy. There fixed it !!"

Use something more reliable than green energy.

[UCANSEE2]

Here's the way it works: The Times prints this story and some leftist blogger picks it up and posts a story on how the Times has a story about the possible use of 'inherent contempt' by the Repubs to put Holder in jail. Big Media pick it up and report it as a real story. Now the Repubs, who never even thought of this, look bad (as Big Media will make them look).

"I know more than one way to skin a dog."

[dfwgator]

The pubbies don’t have the balls.

[no dems]

crybaby in the Speaker’s Chair, otherwise known as gnat ‘nads
______________________________________________________________

“gnat ‘nads”....... I warn you right now; I’m stealing that.

[muawiyah]

The House has the power to do whatever its Republican majority wants.

Time to start using it.

[muawiyah]

CSPAN could focus on Holder’s makeshift cell all night long.

[Joe 6-pack]

Why bother hiring a Republican legislature when you can...

...make your own paper tiger!!

[television is just wrong]

then they need to arrest him and make them sweat.

[4Liberty]

LOL

[dalereed]

“Congress doesn’t even have a jail any longer”

I think Arpaio would offer up his if asked!!!

pink under ware and a squad tent in the desert seems appropriate!