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After Barr's Snub, Democrats Lack Options to Compel Cooperation

  • ‘We’re fighting all the subpoenas,’ Trump told supporters
  • Republicans are daring Democrats to launch impeachment action
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Bloomberg
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Attorney General William Barr’s snub of a House hearing on Robert Mueller’s Russia report exposed that Democrats are in an awkward position: They don’t have any good options for forcing the Trump administration to cooperate with their multiple investigations.

Democrats seeking to compel -- or punish -- Barr and others who ignore Democratic invitations and subpoenas could pursue contempt proceedings, which carry no tangible penalty when branches of government face off, or take action in court, which would be protracted.