Douglas L. Kriner

Professor of Government

Doug Kriner, professor of government at Cornell University and author of the book “Investigating the President: Congressional Checks on Presidential Power,” says the conflict indicates a need for reforms that would enable more powerful congressional oversight.

Kriner says: 

“During his last two years in office, President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented assault on Congress’ oversight powers with blanket refusals to comply with congressional subpoenas and to turn over requested documents. Congress’ inability to gain access to information significantly hampered its ability to conduct meaningful oversight, including both impeachment investigations. 

“Holding recalcitrant witnesses in contempt makes for good political theater. But it is unlikely to break the logjam and restore congressional oversight powers in the long-term. The continued stand-off clearly shows the need for more serious and thorough institutional reforms, including expedited procedures for judicial enforcement of congressional subpoenas.”

Randy Zelin

Adjunct Professor of Law

Randy Zelin, adjunct professor of law at Cornell Law School, is a trial attorney with a concentration in white collar criminal defense as well as complex civil litigation matters. 

Zelin says:

"Everything has become so political and we are so polarized now that respect for the rule of law - here the subpoena process - has yielded to a soundbite and a political base out for blood.

"I think Mr. Bannon relishes in the spotlight and would gladly do a perp walk to jail for being held in contempt of Congress in order to gin up his base and his cause. So Congress is caught between a rock and a hard place - enforce the rule of law or feed the beast?"