House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., on Friday said the House is weighing whether to enforce “inherent contempt,” a rarely used congressional power, to get Trump administration officials to comply with subpoenas.
“Inherent contempt” would allow Congress to fine or jail those who resist subpoenas. On Friday, Schiff proposed a fine of $25,000 per day.
“Much as I like the visual of [throwing people in jail], I think it’s far more practical to consider levying individual fines on the person — not the office — until they comply. You could fine someone $25,000 a day until they comply. You can do that. We’re looking through the history and studying the law to make sure we’re on solid ground,” he told Axios.
The White House has thus far refused to provide information requested by Congress, ordering former White House counsel Don McGahn and the former personnel security director to not comply with subpoenas.
The House Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress after President Trump asserted executive privilege over special counsel Robert Mueller’s report and the underlying evidence.
