Gunfight at the Okay Corral

Kagro X at Daily Kos discusses an alternative to the standard contempt of Congress citation called "Inherent Contempt." As noted here yesterday, the problem with Congress holding Bush officials in contempt if they refuse to appear under subpoena is that the contempt citation is enforced by the Attorney General, who, in this case, is certainly not going to prosecute anyone in the White House. The Courts have generally avoided hearing cases like this, so, if Congress took it to Court, the Court would probably say, "go suck eggs."

Under "Inherent Contempt," Kargo X says Congress would hold it's own trial of the individual deemed in contempt, and, if they convict, they can incarcerate the individual until the next adjournment of Congress. Sounds good, but how do they enforce this? Somehow, the prospect of the Sargent at arms and the Capitol Police seeking to arrest White House officials does not seem likely. I can see the FBI and the T-Men lined up to defend the White House and a few dozen wizened old men from the Capitol Police trying to break through the cordon.

But, the very fact we're talking about this is pretty scary. It sounds like something out of Mugabe's Zimbabwe.