Regarding Republican authoritarianism: Clintons' letter to Comer

First page of the Clintons' letter

Radical right elite MAGA authoritarian James Comer has subpoenaed and is threatening Bill and Hillary Clinton for their refusal to testify under oath about Epstein and pedophilia. The Clintons had been voluntarily cooperative, but apparently they are tired of plying the stupid MAGA game. The letter is at this link. Comer has been trying to nail Democrats about Epstein for a long time with no major success. But he is a persistent jackass.

The main argument the Clintons assert to blow Comer off is fairly simple. They argue that Comer's subpoena and threat are invalid and legally unenforceable because they are not connected to any valid legislative purpose. Congressional subpoenas have been required by USSC precedent that to serve Congress's legislative function. Subpoenas for other purposes are unconstitutional. The Clintons' letter states that Comer had not established why their appearance would be relevant to any valid legislative purpose. (link 1, link 2)

The Clintons' letter also points out that (1) they have already provided the limited information they have about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to the Comer Committee, and (2) they did so proactively and voluntarily. They say their prior cooperation makes compelled testimony unnecessary and unjustified. Comer is threatening the Clintons with contempt of congress charges. (link 3, link 4)

The Clinton letter makes clear the weakness in Comer's position. He had been arguing to the Clintons that their testimony was necessary for conduct of congressional oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of either sex trafficking law generally or as to Epstein and Maxwell in particular. That’s nonsense -- Epstein is dead and Maxwell is in the slammer. 

However, being the arrogant cuss he is, Comer revised his reason for his testimony demand. Comer's new reason for harassing the Clintons is that they are needed for investigation of how Epstein befriended powerful people to avoid scrutiny of his sex trafficking operation. Comer asserts that may assist Congress in its exploration of potential legislative remedies to more effectively combat sex trafficking rings. What a load of pig manure.[1]

But with vindictive, authoritarian MAGA thugs in power, this is the new normal.

Comer has not explained why he hasn't subpoenaed Trump.

Comer

Footnote:

1. There's also this: Comer subpoenaed eight people initially but dismissed seven without them saying a word. Only the Clintons remain targeted. If this were truly about legislative fact-finding, why the selective enforcement? This is obviously not about legislative fact-finding. It is all about vindictive MAGA authoritarianism.