The House will have to do more than just subpoena Emily Murphy for failing to show up today

| 4:30 pm EST November 23, 2020
Dear Palmer Report readers, we all understand the difficult era we're heading into. Major media outlets are caving to Trump already. Even the internet itself and publishing platforms may be at risk. But Palmer Report is nonetheless going to lead the fight. We're funding our 2025 operating expenses now, so we can keep publishing no matter what happens. I'm asking you to contribute if you can, because the stakes are just so high. You can donate here.

The House should, and probably will, subpoena Emily Murphy for failing to show up today. But subpoenas are not magic wands. It could take a year to get a judge to order her to testify. There are other, more effective leverage points for going after her.

Keep in mind that House hearings rarely trigger change. Hearings usually play to a stalemate. It’s the threat of a hearing, having to get a lawyer for it, litigation costs of fighting a subpoena, and so on, that are more likely to force someone’s hand. These things tend to take place behind the scenes, as opposed to some big grand gesture in public.

In any case, no one on either side of this battle has a magic wand. There’s no way for the House to just magically force Emily Murphy to immediately sign the transition papers. Nor will Murphy just skate into the sunset after she finishes dragging it out. She’s making it ugly for us and for herself.

Dear Palmer Report readers, we all understand the difficult era we're heading into. Major media outlets are caving to Trump already. Even the internet itself and publishing platforms may be at risk. But Palmer Report is nonetheless going to lead the fight. We're funding our 2025 operating expenses now, so we can keep publishing no matter what happens. I'm asking you to contribute if you can, because the stakes are just so high. You can donate here.