What is a subpoena, if not a signed letter from an agent of congress directing either testimony or production of information? Its possible this letter in itself could be considered a subpoena, since it was delivered in an official capacity. The only formalisms I’m aware of are guidelines and convention, which don’t really mean anything anymore, and this letter seems to fit all the definitions I can find. I know it’s a dumb question to get hung up on since obviously “talk to a lawyer” is the #1 thing to do here, but still it’s an interesting question as to how legally binding an order in a form like this actually is.
A subpoena is a court order. Courts do not equal Congress. Separation of powers, and all that.
Edit: To clarify, courts don’t issue subpoenas, they sign off on them. Because this hasn’t been issued as a subpoena or signed off on by a court, it’s not a subpoena and cannot be construed as one. At least, within the bounds of the law. Which as we’ve seen don’t really matter at the moment.
Congress can absolutely issue subpoenas itself. Courts can rule on the legality, but they do not have to issue them on behalf of congress. ty for the edit I see what you meant now.
I realised my comment was woefully undercooked shortly after posting it 😅 It’s worth noting though that issuance isn’t the standard to be met; if the court doesn’t sign off on a subpoena, it’s not legally a subpoena and can’t be enforced regardless of who issued it.
So I did a bit of a dive and this is what I found:
Committee rules may provide for the full committee to issue a subpoena, or permit subcommittees or the chairman (acting alone or with the ranking member) to issue subpoenas…
So clarify with a lawyer and ensure that this action was taken under full legal authority and it likely was. I will edit my main comment to prevent the spread of misinformation
No need, subpoenas are obvious and in fact of they aren’t obvious they aren’t a subpoena. Almost every subpoena from Congress the Senate or otherwise will have some variation of “subpoena duces tecum” in the header or the phrase you are “ordered” or “commanded” to appear or provide whatever.
I’m fairly certain you need something more official than a signed letter, but I’m not a lawyer.
So consult a lawyer and then if legal destroy those records
What is a subpoena, if not a signed letter from an agent of congress directing either testimony or production of information? Its possible this letter in itself could be considered a subpoena, since it was delivered in an official capacity. The only formalisms I’m aware of are guidelines and convention, which don’t really mean anything anymore, and this letter seems to fit all the definitions I can find. I know it’s a dumb question to get hung up on since obviously “talk to a lawyer” is the #1 thing to do here, but still it’s an interesting question as to how legally binding an order in a form like this actually is.
A subpoena is a court order. Courts do not equal Congress. Separation of powers, and all that.
Edit: To clarify, courts don’t issue subpoenas, they sign off on them. Because this hasn’t been issued as a subpoena or signed off on by a court, it’s not a subpoena and cannot be construed as one. At least, within the bounds of the law. Which as we’ve seen don’t really matter at the moment.
Congress can absolutely issue subpoenas itself. Courts can rule on the legality, but they do not have to issue them on behalf of congress.ty for the edit I see what you meant now.I realised my comment was woefully undercooked shortly after posting it 😅 It’s worth noting though that issuance isn’t the standard to be met; if the court doesn’t sign off on a subpoena, it’s not legally a subpoena and can’t be enforced regardless of who issued it.
So I did a bit of a dive and this is what I found:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
So clarify with a lawyer and ensure that this action was taken under full legal authority and it likely was. I will edit my main comment to prevent the spread of misinformation
No need, subpoenas are obvious and in fact of they aren’t obvious they aren’t a subpoena. Almost every subpoena from Congress the Senate or otherwise will have some variation of “subpoena duces tecum” in the header or the phrase you are “ordered” or “commanded” to appear or provide whatever.
To Nixon https://www.justsecurity.org/61535/congress-subpoena-trump-testify/
Charles Mitchell https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/investigations/image/Pecora_MitchellSubpoena_display.htm