News

House Sergeant At Arms Paul Irving Could Arrest Trump Officials For Ignoring Subpoenas

Congress no longer arrests or detains individuals for ignoring subpoenas, although it still holds the authority to summon witnesses and request documents. President Donald Trump and his administration have refused to respond to subpoenas, and lawmakers could ultimately use its powers to detain White House officials.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters “we’re fighting all the subpoenas.”

The president has ignored subpoenas issued by Democratic lawmakers on multiple issues, from Trump’s tax returns to his family and businesses. Early last month, the House Judiciary Committee, led by its chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-New York) issued document requests from 81 current and former Trump administration officials as part of a sweeping corruption probe.

Last week, Trump filed an unprecedented lawsuit in an attempt to block a congressional subpoena meant to compel an accounting firm to disclose information about his business dealings.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Last week, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland), the House Oversight Committee’s chairman, stated his panel would vote on whether to hold former White House security director Carl Kline in contempt for failing to appear for questioning. The committee said it would interrogate Kline about allegations that the White House inappropriately gave several Trump administration members like Jared Kushner high-level security clearances.

Given that Democrats hold the majority in the House and the Senate remains under Republican control, any contempt finding would likely emanate from Congress’s Democratic-controlled lower chamber.

Now, there is speculation U.S. House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving — who oversees law enforcement and protocol, among other things — could detain Trump officials for failing to comply with federal subpoenas.

Edward Kleinbard, an attorney who previously worked as chief of staff to Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxation, stated lawmakers do have the authority to probe whether Trump complied with fiscal laws and other similar legal requirements.

Pablo Mena

Writer for upolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Share
Published by
Pablo Mena

Recent Posts

Trump Nominates Right-Wing Podcaster Paul Ingrassia, Who Has Used White Supremacist Rhetoric, To Head Ethics Agency

President Donald Trump has nominated a former right-wing podcaster to lead a federal watchdog agency.…

17 hours ago

Trump Organization Announces New Mobile Service & Gold Smartphone With American Flag

The Trump Organization, President Donald Trump’s holding company for his investments and business ventures, has…

17 hours ago

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls For Trump’s Impeachment For Iran Nuclear Strike, Other Democrats Want Congress To Act

Democratic lawmakers have criticized President Donald Trump for issuing a precision strike on Iranian nuclear…

19 hours ago

Former Russian President Dimitry Medvedev Says ‘A Number Of Countries Are Ready To Directly Supply Iran’ With Nukes After U.S. Attack

Following the Sunday strikes on three of Iran's nuclear facilities by the U.S., world leaders…

19 hours ago

Trump Claims Iran Attack ‘Obliterated’ Nuclear Sites, Satellite Images Tell A Different Story

On Sunday, the U.S. military bombed Iran's Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities. Pentagon officials…

20 hours ago

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Says Drivers Have Right To Run Over Protesters If They Feel Threatened: ‘You Don’t Have To Just Sit There’

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Floridians have the right to drive into crowds of protestors…

2 days ago