The Trump administration is refusing to cooperate with at least 30 separate investigations, according to a Politicoreport published Wednesday.
Democrats are conducting vigorous oversight related to Trump’s conversations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Trump’s family separation policy which resulted in jailing babies, security clearances for Trump’s family over the objections of the intelligence community, and many more issues.
In response, the White House is refusing to turn over documents and engaging in delay tactics to stymie the ability of Congress to do their job. Democrats on 12 separate House committees say the Trump team is obstructing 30 different investigations, according to Politico.
The stonewalling comes even as Trump initially promised to cooperate with congressional investigations. After House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler sent 81 letters seeking documents and information, Trump seemed nonplussed, saying, “I cooperate all the time with everybody.”
But a few days later, Trump had one of his classic morning meltdowns, going on an unhinged rant that accused Nadler and Democrats of being “stone cold CRAZY.”
Trump’s position on transparency is not tied to any sort of political philosophy related to separation of powers. Instead, it’s tied to his own political agenda.
When Republicans controlled Congress, Trump ordered the intelligence community to declassify secret documents because Republicans in Congress wanted to see them. When it suits him, Trump will bend the rules to share information with Congress.
But now that Democrats are in charge, Trump and his cronies are determined to keep nefarious activities hidden.
The new majority is not without options, according to Politico. If Trump officials continue to refuse to cooperate, Congress has the power to issue subpoenas requiring officials to testify and turn over documents. If Trump officials defy the subpoena, the House can vote to hold them in contempt of Congress and then take them to court.
Voters swept Democrats into power in the 2018 midterms with a mandate to hold Trump and his crime-infested administration accountable. Congressional investigations are one way Democrats plan to do this, no matter how uncomfortable that may be for Trump.
Published with permission of The American Independent.
