No one in a position of authority at the IRS will ever become a martyr.
“Unfortunately it seems like the only option. What else is Issa gonna do? Lock her up in the Capitol Jail and turn her into a martyr? “
Perhaps there is a way to use employment law. She is an employee of the federal government. Congress is essentially her employer. An employer has the right to ask employees questions about their behavior on the job and the employee has no fifth amendment protection from the employer. If the employee refuses to answer questions, the employer can fire the employee for cause.
Issa should bring her back as the employer. Ask the entire list of questions and let her refuse to answer. Then Boehner should immediately bring the House into session and pass a bill with three provisions. 1) Lerner is immediately terminated for cause without severance and retirement benefits. 2) The Attorney General is directed to name a special counsel to investigate her for potential criminal activity. 3) Declare her in contempt of Congress and direct the Attorney General to prosecute her.
Send the bill to the Senate and demand Harry Reid bring it to the floor. Every day he fails to do so, every Republican should be in front of the press demanding action. Turn it into a media circus, just like the Democrats did with Valerie Plame.