NY-22 Minute: Brindisi Supports Holding Barr in Contempt By Luke Perry
The LA Times recently described Anthony Brindisi as “perhaps the most ardent anti-impeachment Democrat.”
Attorney General William Barr may be another matter.
Brindisi voted in March to make the Mueller Report fully public because “Americans deserve to know all the facts” and “deserve full transparency.” Brindisi has also repeatedly asserted that “our challenges are too great to be distracted by endless partisanship and investigations.”
Photo by Jennifer Haberkorn/Los Angeles Times
Following the report’s partial release, Brindisi stated the ensuing legal scrutiny of President Trump is not a “high priority” and that he is instead focused on local issues and accessibility.
“The way you win an election, but more importantly govern, is by focusing on issues that people care about,” Brindisi explained. The more we can focus on issues and less on the president, the better it is for the country.”
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty
The president asserted executive privilege over the redacted portions of the Mueller Report yet to be publicly released or shared with Congress. Executive privilege is the ability of the chief executive to withhold information from the public pertaining to national security or to protect the privacy of White House deliberations.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Barr in contempt for not providing the full report as subpoenaed. The issue is now expected to move to a floor vote before the entire House.
Macey Matthews, Brindisi’s communications director, provided the following statement when asked about the Attorney General’s behavior:
“Rep. Brindisi would prefer that the DOJ and Judiciary Committee negotiate on a way forward, but if a decision can’t be reached, he would support holding Barr in contempt. In 2012, the House held former Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for failing to provide documents related to a Congressional investigation. No matter which party is in the White House, Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversight and provide accountability for the American people.”
(updated 5/9)
Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Chair and Professor of Government at Utica College
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