McGahn Is a No-Show, and Now Come the Consequences

'We will hold this President accountable—one way or the other,' says House Judiciary chair
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted May 21, 2019 11:15 AM CDT
Nadler After McGahn No-Show: 'We Will Hold This President Accountable'
The witness chair in front of the House Judiciary Committee is seen empty on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The lines were drawn Tuesday as former White House counsel Don McGahn defied a subpoena to testify in front of the House Judiciary committee, as expected. Also as expected, House Democrats indicated they would move to hold him in contempt. "Let me be clear. This committee will hear Mr. McGahn's testimony, even if we have to go to court to secure it," Chairman Jerry Nadler said opposite McGahn's empty chair, per CNN and the Guardian. "The president took it upon himself to intimidate a witness who has a legal obligation to be here," but "we will hold this President accountable—one way or the other," he continued. Nadler said he believed Trump would've been charged with obstruction crimes laid out in the Mueller report "but for the Department of Justice's policy of refusing to indict a sitting President."

Nadler added "the President's conduct since the report was released, with respect to Mr. McGahn's testimony and other information we have sought, has carried this pattern of obstruction well beyond ... the Mueller report." However, the ranking Republican on the committee, Rep. Doug Collins, argued Nadler was only looking to make headlines with "theater," per CNN. "He does not actually want information. He wants the fight, but not the truth," he said. Several Democrats seemed to warm to the idea of impeachment following the hearing, per Politico. The outlet reports House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—who has mostly steered clear of impeachment talk, feeling it could backfire politically—is now expected to meet with the Democratic caucus to discuss oversight efforts and investigations on Wednesday. (More Don McGahn stories.)

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