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Criminal Contempt Referrals

The process and outcomes of criminal contempt referrals from Congress to the Justice Department, including the role of executive privilege and prosecutorial discretion.

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Jan 17, 2026
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What is the historical track record of criminal contempt referrals from Congress and how often do they result in prosecution?

Criminal contempt referrals from Congress are a blunt tool that frequently end as political statements rather than criminal cases: since 2008 the House alone has held ten individuals in criminal conte...