Eric Holder could be arrested next week

[montanacowboy]

and brought to the jail if Boehner holds the contempt vote. Jonathan Alter said that they could handcuff Holder and put him in the jail they have there.

I believe they are crazy and foaming at the mouth enough to do this. What will ensue if they do this? Where is this insanity going to end? How can we put an end to the republicon mental illness?

[arcane1]

1. Sadly, they don't even have to actually do it. Just putting the threat out there is enough for PR

Then all the talking heads can talk about it, superpac ads can ominously spin it any way they want.

They're republicans, this kind of bullshit is all they have!

[randome]

2. Anyone know the legal justifications for something like this?

It sounds unlikely to me but I don't have the knowledge of how this type of legal maneuvering proceeds.

[Lurks Often]

3. I didn't believe Alter was right, but

per Wikipedia (Yes, I know Wikipedia, but the link cites the relevant US law)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress

Since 1975 there have been 12 cases, 7 involving Republicans, 5 involving Democrats.

Two are listed as ongoing: Holder and Miers & Bolten

One involved an impeachment of a Republican who was "Indicted for lying to Congress; convicted; sentenced to 6 months in prison, 5 years probation thereafter, and a fine of $10,000"

In the 8 of the other 9 cases, the person risking impeachment either released all of the required documents or "substantially" complied with the subpoena

The other case was resolved "After legal cases and a court dismissal of the executive Branch's suit, the parties reached an agreement to provide documents."

[bpj62]

4. Sargent at Arms

If the full house votes to hold him into contempt then the speaker of the house could order the sargent at arms to go to Holders office and arrest him and then hold him at the capitol jail. I just can't either Cantor or Boehner being that stupid.

[Tx4obama]

11. See comment #10 :) n/t

[notadmblnd]

5. guess who gets to decide whether or not to prosecute Eric Holder?

Eric Holder, that's who.

[madashelltoo]

6. If they go that far . . .

stand back. The public response will not be pretty.

[rufus dog]

7. to paraphrase Shrub

Bring it Fucking On!

Time to take them on!

[FirstLight]

8. I admit

I have been not reading enough lately, but WTF? this is basically a coup in disguise. They are doing this to draw attention away from rmoney as well as questionable election results in WI and more...

how DARE they?

[malaise]

9. I fucking dare them

[Tx4obama]

10. Here's what Obama and Holder should do ...

President Obama and Michelle should invite Mr. and Mrs. Holder over to the White House residence to spend some time with them as guests.
Put them up in the Lincoln bedroom for a couple of weeks.

Then the House Sargent at Arms won't be able to enter the White House to arrest him

Well, that's one solution

[Angleae]

14. That solution could start impeachment proceedings

Harboring/aiding a fugitive (or something like that).

[RBInMaine]

12. It's a load of CRAPOLA and a deal will be struck. The people want action on jobs, not this crap.

[cali]

13. um, no. not gonna happen.

[mysuzuki2]

15. Perhaps Pres. Obama could assign a couple of secret service agents to Mr. Holder.

if the sgt at arms shows up to arrest him they could send him packing.