By Rachael Bade and Rachael Bade Congressional reporter Email Bio Follow Mike DeBonis Mike DeBonis Congressional reporter covering the House of Representatives Email Bio Follow May 17 at 6:05 PM An increasing number of House Democrats are frustrated by their stalled investigations into President Trump, with an uncooperative chief executive, their own leader’s reluctance about impeachment and courts that could be slow to resolve the standoff.
A group of House Judiciary Committee Democrats privately have discussed ways to increase pressure on leadership to being impeachment proceedings despite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s wariness, according to several Democrats who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss the plan. Raskin has been encouraging colleagues to try to make the distinction between voting to impeach Trump and voting to begin an impeachment inquiry — the latter of which, investigators argue, could help them secure documents they have struggled to get.
Some lawmakers are mindful that the closer the country gets to the 2020 election, the less justifiable impeachment becomes. Should Democrats try to litigate all of those in court, they could face months, if not years, in limbo as their probes languish, experts say. House Republicans in 2012 held Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for failing to turn over documents pertaining to a gunrunning investigation. The GOP House sued him in civil court to try to get a judge to force compliance, but it took seven years for both parties to settle the case.
If Mueller truly believes in the rule of law, he would testify in defiance of Dumb Donald's obstruction and baby tantrums.
How about they drop the vendetta towards President Trump and get back to actually working on a bipartisan issue that help their constituents?
As it should be they had their investigation. Took two years millions of dollars and resulted in no crimes. This is just like angry children that didn’t get their way start crying about anything. Time to run the country.
That’s funny why don’t they do something about the boarder instead of sitting around kicking a dead horse they are a waste of tax dollars and should all be voted out
Time to launch impeachment!
Democracy, America is now worse than the dictatorships it used to target
We’re imploding from within. What is Congress doing? Or not doing? Do something!
It's like watching a dog chase its tail. It's time to rebrand the Democrat party (which itself is a monument to slavery). From now on what was known as the Democrat party should be known as the Party for the Advancement of Human Progress. PAHM. Or something like that. Move on.
She has other Tools use them Now
A nice, looong, public,house inquiry laying out Muellers findings will help sway voters.
Here’s whereDemslive
Get ready for real news
How about starting a new movement..” republicans for impeachment now”
They’re not the only ones.
THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. You are as spineless as those on the other side.
How about dumb struck.
Time to investigate the Plan B soft coup.
Can't you do something about for Christ sakes.
...then get on with governing the country.
In other words, they are failing and chocking on their own absurdity
They’ll send in a grenadine next week then trump will lift out of the president office like never before he’ll realize he cannot be above the law that’s what it must take to do because America is in a constitutional crisis right now and we must protect democracy so don’t worry👈🏾
It's time for these cowardly democrats to go. SpeakerPelosi needs to step aside so a real patriot can do what needs to be done. They continue to spit on their base by refusing impeachment proceedings. We want the evidence, docs, and witnesses that only impeachment can yield.
do something blue people on the hill: that’s your job🇺🇸🇺🇸
The reasons you state aren't the reasons why Democrats are frustrated.
You forgot to add, no reason to “investigate” and no probable cause...
Stop deceiving yourselves. It's a fact. There are people above the law in this country.
THEY are frustrated? What about the rest of us!!!!!!
The country will have to wait him out. He won’t be polite and leave the WH willingly. I do believe he is ignorant enough to stay there no matter what the election of next year brings or 4 years after. So everyone that did a protest vote, don’t protest now.
It is time to impeach Trump so that the people will pay attention to all of the facts that havealready been uncovered. The world is watching to see how much longer we will tolerate the Russian assault on our democracy currently being carried out by POTUS.
Good maybe now the Dem will actually do something 4 the Am people. Let's see them contribute to the growing economy, manufacturing jobs coming back to the USA, stock market moving along nicely. Too bad the Democrats won't focus on these positive things for a change
Exactly what Trump wants. They have means to get the ball rolling...open Impeachment hearings and start arresting these people that are not complying with subpoenas. Easy response because it is already written law.....
ImpeachmentHearingsNow ImpeachmentHearingsNow ImpeachmentHearingsNow ImpeachmentHearingsNow ImpeachmentHearingsNow ImpeachmentHearingsNow ImpeachmentHearingsNow
How stupid can they be there trying to create something out of nothing that’s the effect of their feckless agenda
Everyone that fails to comply with a subpoena needs to be arrested.
So exercise your power. If we have coequal branches of government, then whatever one can so,so can the other. The executive branch is not more powerful than Congress. PUSH BACK! Flex 💪 your muscles, Congress has equal strength. Slap the bully.
Not this Democrat! The longer this goes on the longer more stuff comes out about trump and his crooked administration. Mueller will testify, it’s just a matter of when and we’re finding out more about what Flynn has. I’m perfectly fine waiting.
How about they stop worrying about Trump and get to work on what they were elected for.
House Democrats have no business feeling frustrated. They have the ultimate power to put an end to this ongoing obstruction by impeaching the President and letting Republicans take the hit for allowing the Trump Administration to disrespect the rule of law and our constitution.
They have power that they refuse to use...
Democrats continually on another blind fishing expedition. Why don’t they do some real work for a change. There’s adult business to be done.
Penalize the non-compliant actors! Do something but don't just keep whining. Bring up solutions to this problem even if it means putting everyone in jail!
Democrats better start playing hardball or their base is going to revolt. I suggest letters /posts go out to Pelosi and Nadler from ever Dem who wishes them proceed with impeachment.
Maybe they (and you) can take a break from the never ending witch-hunt and actually address the border crisis
Majority of Americans are laughing at the democrats and the WaPo....... and you know it! lol lol lol. Both are a not so funny joke.
What are they talking about? We just had the most thorough investigation in US history. Longer and more thorough that the 9/11 panel. Countless interviews, documents, etc. The conclusion? NO COLLUSION! But that hurts thedemocrats false narrative.
Just cut the GOP and Trump off a budget or two and watch what that do and say about that. It's all the the money for Trump
.......................................... LOCK THEM UP
Frustrated is an understatement.. They’re losing their minds and credibility
The Democrats should continue their investigations and issue subpoenas come what may. And at the same time they should fight to win in 2020. Whatever the Dems do, keep the pressure on Trump. Don’t let him off the hook no matter how daunting it seems.
But who does he think he is and why do we let him do that!! Something have to be done STOP HIM!!!!!!
guess they will just have to do some 'actual' work eg.: .. plan to revamp immigration laws .. plan to solve medicare financial issues. .. plan to handle the infrastructure project.
They’re doing it on purpose knuckleheads
Lol
Time for Dems to legislate policies. This is old
Good
I'm sort of sick of listening to the daily lies, corruption and lawlessness from Trump and his associates while Democrats use words like 'frustrating' and do nothing. We are ENABLERS!
If only House Democrats had Constitutionally-approved powers to provide a checks and balance
I dont think its a stalled investigation... I think John Durham may just end up spinning the table somewhat and democrats are cancelling their dinner reservations because the show they THOUGHT was coming has changed and the plate thats being served wont sit well in their bellies.
Impeach!
The obstruction is real...
This shows the flaws in our democracy, can we fix them? Much to be done when trump is finely out in 2020! He’s the New York Conman that came to Abuse power and hand out Executive Orders, and pardons to friends. Get out the constitution,work and earn the privilege to fly old glory
The court system needs to resolve this quickly our democracy depends on it!
We all know what needs to be done but Democrats appear flaccid or are they on the same team?
Isn’t the law available to pursue this? If it doesn’t exist he Wins!!! You either enforce it or explain to us whythey are getting away with this. Arrest, fine, something. If you can’t we need new laws.
Impeach already
Dear DNC, Please grow a pair! If roles were reversed do you think GOP would even hesitate to arrest those in contempt or begin impeachment proceedings? Stop being so damn weak & you might even win over some independent & undecided voters! Contempt Arrest Impeach
House Democrats are in a precarious political situation but should take a very firm legal stand agains Trump, Barr, Mnuchin, and anyone who is in contempt of Congress. Trump draws strength from perceived indecision. Legal, aboveboard, public action is needed.
Lock them up
Trump and the Confederate Senate. Build the wall, but leave the side door open for my buddies. 😐
WELL THATS TO FUCKING BAD, MAYBE NOW THEY WILL START WORKING FOR WE THE PEOPLE AGAIN, BUT I DOUBT IT!!!!
There must be something Democrats can do
IndictBarr IndictBarr IndictBarr IndictBarr IndictBarr
CongressDoYourJob
Just where GOP wants them!
Maybe it’s time to start governing
What’s sad is that apparently our Constitution isn’t worth the paper it’s written on if this can actually happen.
A lawless president and his enablers. Remember all of them November 2020
Someone give them a set of balls please
The ONLY answer is ImpeachmentHearingsNow Otherwise the obstruction and stonewalling continues. When will Democrats grow a spine?
It’s not a good look for this administration. You can run but you can’t hide. The truth will eventually be told... redacted or unredacted... the report is only a small sliver of the truth... we have an out of control President and Senate
This is what trump has done his entire life...say no and face zero consequences.
No balls. It's time to prove that laws apply to everyone. This White House scoffing at subpoenas makes a mockery of our system.
Impeach the mf already
HOLY FUCK THEY ARE SO BAD AT THIS
What you're watching is the last-gasp of a failed attempt to take down a political rival masked as an investigation. Now the real investigation gets to start why our governments full powers were turned on a rival campaign during an election
Hillary Clinton ensured Trump would win & Pelosi ensures Trump won't be stopped for obviously impeachable offenses & a nation that wants impeachment. The entire system is rigged.
🤔POTUS SenateNews HouseNews MSNBC CNN Politico HuffPost TheWeek NYTimes foxnews StephenAtHome BillMaher TrevorNoah SethMeyers RobReiner MMFlint MaddowBlog Morning_Joe HardballChris AMJoyShow SRuhle NicolleDWallace KatyTurNBC AllInWithChris
Would impeachment process bring these people to make statements and bring to light his taxes?
Democrats are now left with the grim reality that Trump won the election
Reminder to deranged Democrats: The 2-year, $40 Million Mueller investigation that Dems demanded & insisted would reveal all Trump-Russia facts, concluded: NO COLLUSION, NO CONSPIRACY & NO OBSTRUCTION BY TRUMP OR HIS CAMPAIGN. Game Over; Dems need to get back to work.
Not frustrated, angry! We will never stop until Trump is impeached, tried, convicted, and in prison! No pardon! No Pence! Please Retweet! Keep it short. Brevity is the soul of tweet!
ImpeachmentNOW
Subpoena them!!
Shines a bright light on the fact that America isnt the democracy everyone thought we were. Money talks, and money creates lawlessness.
Enablers FlyingMonkeys
They aren’t using their full congressional powers. Stop pussyfooting around and start holding fuckers in contempt and arrest them. Dems are all talk no bite to this point.
So why isn't Mueller testifying? We would really like to know how early he knew that Trump Russia collusion was a hoax?
The next step isn’t impeachment. The next step is asserting authority and issue inherent contempt citations. Use the authority courts have confirmed that exists and start issuing fines and arrest warrants.
The Democrats are weak and cowardly.
HouseDemocrats need to act. No more softball! Consequences for refusal to obey congress must ensue
Not just democrats...any sane, rational people who want their country back.
The current House Democrats don’t understand their power; therefore, they cannot expect us to re-elect them in 2020. We will elect people who understand their power and know how to USE IT!!!
The comments here are saying loud and clear that Dems in Congress have not been performing their duty. They hold a lawless administration accountable by conducting public hearings that lead to next steps - legislation, impeachment, fines, jail, contempt. /1
Wow! Imagine that, politicians failing to hold other politicians accountable. News Flash! It is the electorate who’s job it is to hold politicians accountable. Stop your whining and vote! If you think Impeachment will make any real difference, you are delusional.
Lock everyone of them up..fine them every day they dont testify..please do something.. There are laws..At least I use to believe there were.
Congress (95% lawyers) created this playpen over the last eighty years - now they get to play in it. karma ain't just for breakfast anymore
They were 0 for 4 before this. 1 House, 2 Senate and a Special Council all came to the same collusion. But this time it'll be different?
It's because the Democrats refuse to do their jobs and govern this country.
Lock them up! You did it to Chelsea Manning
What? Asking the criminal nicely to please cooperate isn’t working?!
Um, Democrats are the ones that rescheduled Muellers hearings. Maybe they know he won’t further their narrative, but if they can postpone his testimony, they can make it look like he or the Administration won’t let him testify. I look forward to WaPo helping push that narrative.
Past time to vote Republicans out. Keep the House, take the Senate and White House and begin the ‘history repeats itself’ work of cleaning up/repairing the mess/damage by Trump & the GOP Time for real reforms EndCitizensUnited EndGerrymandering CampaignFinaceReform
The Democrats should not be frustrated,what they are doing is failing to perform their duties
Leaving a nation frustrated. Impeach NOW.
The Dems in the House have no choice but to start impeachment hearings involving Donald J Trump,since the Trump administration is stonewalling Congress at every turn !
Let’s not forget that after the republicans impeached Clinton they lost control of congress and the White House in the next election.......oh wait they didn’t.
The democrats are cowards. Start the impeachment process and they would have a stronger legal foot hold. If nothing else Trump is obstructing congressional investigation. Trumps f*ck you to congress is working. Democrats are looking very weak.
They need to do whatever they have to do...enough is enough with the bullshit!
The investigation isn't stalled, in fact, it's about to get a great deal more interesting. Americans are about to find out how the Obama administration, Hillary, the dnc, & MSM used the Gov to undermine the election in 2016 & conspire to commit treason Investigation continues
They should be frustrated and don’t forget all the frustration President Trump had to withstand for over two years knowing that nothing ever happened. It helped the democrats for the previous election cycle but now that truth is out we’ll see how they do in 2020. Ed
Democrats are so weak
This isn't a 'Democrat' problem. Republicans know the party and administration are wrong and they're just fine with it. Long live the king
The house dems should stop being frustrated and TAKE APPROPRIATE LEGAL ACTION. ArrestWilliamBarr ArrestStevenMnuchin ArrestStevenMiller ImpeachTrumpNow
Madam Speaker: Stop playing nice or they'll roll over us all.
Dems are you really Democrats we voted in office 2018 or an extension of the GOP. You sure acting like you just all talk no action in holding trump and his administration accountable.
Isn’t trump the most transparent president of all time?
While the AG takes pot shots from the cheap seats, Dems flail about and look weak in their decision not to pursue impeachment.
What’s their plan exactly? Just keep making threats that go nowhere, they’re basically waiting for the election hoping the American people make it easy for them
OBSTRUCTED & COMPLICIT. the GOP aide & abet
No McCain either and that’s a good thing
They need to get past “frustrated”. It’s time to get livid and enforce their authority. Actions have consequences. Prove it!!
The attack on democracy is bogging down, dammit.
Dem scams falling apart...
House Democrats should start impeachment.
If only they had the power to do something. Oh. Wait...
Democrats are spineless. As someone who votes democrat, I’ve officially lost all hope
Republicans'party' hypocrite's' do as I say' not as I do party'voters depression' party'...FACT'S !
The White House gave unprecedented access to MILLIONS of documents and everything SC asked for. Seems enough to me
Way to lose every single battle dems
Because Dems are cowards at heart. And that is why they lost the senate and will lose in 2020.
But it’s the Democrats who don’t respect procedure, right? 🙄
Scoop: As nytimes uncovers Trump/Flynn conspiracy, Separate Investigation Reveals No One Plays Donald Trump's Golf Course; Nothing Made In U.S. via YouTube
Democrats are weak. All mouth. They know the IG report is going to sink them.
AG Barr said they can have Mueller anytime. But do the Dems REALLY want him? Or is it a great talking point
Interesting Take. How about: Executive Branch Continues To Obstruct Justice
More pissed are voters who continue to see both sides abdicate their oversight responsibilities and in the case of democrats it's solely because they don't want to lose the election. We know the GOP doesn't care about law but now the HouseDemocrats let them get away with crimes
ImpeachmentHearingsNow
And make Trump and republicans look guilty as hell as well as non law abiding
Time to stop wringing hands and develop an aggressive response, including a litigation strategy. (I’m available).
U.S. Democrats are frustrated. Not just the House ones ...
Frustrated? Well, if they are sooo frustrated, why in hell don't they DO SOMETHING? ImpeachmentHearingsNow
Subpoena/Court time was weeks ago. 45 doesn't play nice. Dem House can't either.
As scripted, taking over house highlighted the stupidity and house will be gone in 2020. Focus has been on everything Trump and junior members, aka losers based on diversity. NoHateJustTruth
This isn’t hard: enforce the process. You want them there: subpoena them and then hold them in contempt. You are playing the GOP game.
Democrats better do something besides set deadlines or it's all over for them...Democrats need to start acting like our lives depend on it!
NOPE...I know you know better! What a pile....only purpose is to try to lay some blame or doubt on Admin cause you know what is coming! Suggest you get a Republican news source, you miss much, sad cause it is on purpose! Confused read my pinned & associated tweets!
Push harder - stop assuming your role gets respect. Stand up and step in firmly. You know what to do so please do it. You were elected to do the hard work - so do it.
Maybe if you’d actually do something, HouseDemocrats RepJerryNadler SpeakerPelosi
No comparison as to how much“we”are frustrated.
They were in the driver's seat up until the release of the Mueller Report. Now they are left sitting at a bus stop in the rain for a bus that's never coming.
Pelosi needs to go! That she has not taken a stronger posture towards impeachment , is telling . The Dems look weak, because they are weak. I have no faith in the current Dem Leadership!
Find your cajones fast!!
And Republicans are complicit in Trumps lawlessness... you forgot to mention that
Use the courts. Use the power of a subpoena. Use massive fines. Use incarceration. Treat them just like Chelsea Manning.
The adminstration is breaking the law by defying congressional subpoenas, but sure, go with 'stalled'.
Meh. They have options. They just refuse to take them because they're cowards.
2005 /2015 et 2019 photo
Nobody is stopping Mueller from appearing except Porky Nadler. Mueller's responses to Republican questions will destroy demokrats.
In reality, some Republicans are in the Govt. & some outside. There is NO Democrat anymore.....shhhh
Instead of getting frustrated take action on the Trump Administration that won't cooperate. Fine the idiots $25 grand till they comply or better yet start impeachment hearings on Trump. You have nothing to lose as this is on the Republicans if Congress won't impeach.
How are they a “co-equal” branch when they can’t get anyone to cooperate? What’s even scarier is that everyone appears to be helping evade the demands of the House.
BeginTheInquistion
They can stop all this: subpoena Mueller, and arrest Mnuchin. ASAP
weak freaken democrat!!! u guys are useless! always stupid and weak! slow talkers! old
Congress is worried about the political perception of impeachment hurting politically while polling at a favorability of 21%. They are already in the gutter. Start throwing people in the Congressional jail for not honoring congressional subpoenas.
Obstruction over and over!! There has to be something we can do..
Hey Dems, ever heard of karma?
Lock em up
A terrible *headline* 'Leaves Democrats frustrated' or is justice congested?
Inherent contempt. Long overdue.
Wait, I thought realDonaldTrump had nothing to hide? Sounds like he lied about that also. donthecon
GET TOUGH!!!! What have you got to lose? You have to use your tools, stop waiting so long, just do it. Once you start getting cooperation you can start the VERY NEEDED TESTIMONY!!! Once that starts, you'll see results.
LOL
Democrats lost. Again. Get over it.
Good
How about SENATE Ds bringing a little heat? They still have voices over there, don't they? No sure.
It’s over
You guys. Subpoena. Let’s go.