Results for: Contempt

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has advanced a contempt resolution against Secretary of State Antony Blinken, setting the stage for a potential House-wide vote on holding him in contempt. The move comes after Blinken refused to comply with a subpoena from the committee regarding the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. Republicans allege Blinken is stonewalling their investigation into the withdrawal, while Blinken argues that his schedule at the United Nations General Assembly prevents him from testifying. The House GOP has previously held other Biden officials in contempt, but those cases were not prosecuted by the Department of Justice.

The Justice Department has declined to pursue contempt charges against Attorney General Merrick Garland for refusing to release recordings of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The House of Representatives had voted to hold Garland in contempt for withholding the audio. The decision comes after months of efforts by House Republicans to obtain the interview material. The story remains in development, and updates will be provided as they become available.

The US Secret Service is evaluating its response if former President Donald Trump is held in contempt or sentenced to prison in his ongoing hush money trial. While prosecutors seek a fine, the Secret Service is preparing for various scenarios. Trump faces charges of falsifying business records related to a payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The Secret Service is legally obligated to protect former presidents around the clock, which could pose challenges if Trump is incarcerated.

Former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about his hush money trial jury may have violated his gag order, according to a former judge. Trump’s statements about the jury’s political leanings have raised concerns, but may not fall under the current gag order. He faces a criminal contempt hearing Tuesday, but this specific comment is unlikely to be addressed.