Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib has again said House Democrats will arrest and detain White House officials who resist the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Tlaib claimed the subject was a mater of discussion in the Democratic caucus and again issued the threat in a Saturday interview with Deadline Detroit.
US Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, questions US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin as he testifies during a House Committee on Financial Services hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, May 22, 2019. (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
“If they were to detain someone, where would they go and have them detained so that they can comply with the subpoenas?” Tlaib told the outlet. “There have been actual serious conversations about what the logistics would look like … if we did have to force someone through a court order to come before the Congressional committee. This is pretty uncharted territory for many of us and even for Congress.”
Tlaib spoke after having a town hall meeting with Democrats of her 13th district, who are organizing a food collection for striking General Motors autoworkers. (RELATED: Detroit Police Chief Says He’d Be Asked To Resign If He Made ‘Similar Statement’ As Rep. Rashida Tlaib)
The congresswoman was asked how likely it was that the Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr would force Trump officials to testify before Democratic-controlled House committees.
“One of the people we held in contempt was Barr,” Tlaib said. “We are using our own legal support, legal experts that are coming in … beyond the tainted and conflicted U.S. Attorney [General’s] office.”
Trump has said that neither he nor his administration plans to cooperate with the “constitutionally illegitimate” impeachment inquiry.
U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions before boarding Marine One while departing the White House on Oct. 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump is scheduled to address a rally in Minnesota later in the day. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Tlaib previously mentioned the threat of incarcerating Trump officials when she was speaking to constituents at an informal coffee event.
“This is the first time we’ve ever had a situation like this,” she reportedly said. “So they’re trying to figure out, no joke, they’re trying to figure out, well, is it the D.C. police that goes and gets them? We don’t know. Where do we hold them?” (RELATED: Rashida Tlaib’s Ties To Anti-Semitism Run Deeper Than Previously Known)
Tlaib suggested people like Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross could be jailed in Detroit.
“So I just want you to know I will relay your message, I will tell them they can hold all those people right here in Detroit, we’ll take care of them, and make sure they show up to the committee hearings. We won’t hurt them,” she said. “We’ll make sure they come and show, right? I’ll make sure that you’re in charge.”
Tlaib started off her congressional career by calling for Trump’s impeachment, infamously promising supporters that she would work to “impeach the motherfu**er.”