It is never too early to create a mechanism to bring the GOP to justice. My question is this: 'How can we structure a Joint Congressional Committee to investigate crimes in the executive offices including but
not limited to the president similar to the Nuremburg trials of Nazi's after WW
2.'
Perhaps some Senators and Representatives can start work on the idea now in readiness for the next election where it is both desirable and likely that the Democrats will be the majority Party in both houses.
ChatGPT
said:
Creating a Joint Congressional
Committee to investigate alleged crimes within the executive branch —
including those potentially committed by the President — and structuring it
similarly to the Nuremberg Trials would be highly complex. The U.S.
system of government, bound by constitutional protections like separation of
powers and due process, limits Congress’s authority compared to post-war
international tribunals. That said, here is a step-by-step conceptual framework
for how such a committee could be structured within the bounds of U.S. law:
⚖️
1. Legal Foundation
A committee with this kind of
extraordinary scope would need a clear legal and constitutional basis:
- Congressional Resolution or Act: A joint resolution passed by both chambers could
create a Temporary Joint Investigative Committee on Executive Conduct,
defining its mandate, powers, and limitations.
- Supreme Court Review:
Expect challenges to the legitimacy and scope; a preemptive review or
legal defense strategy is essential.
🏛️
2. Committee Structure
A high-level structure might include:
|
Role
|
Function
|
|
Bipartisan Leadership
|
Co-chairs from both parties,
likely senior members from Judiciary or Oversight Committees.
|
|
Subcommittees
|
Organized by type of alleged
crime: abuse of power, obstruction, corruption, civil rights violations, etc.
|
|
Legal Advisors
|
Constitutional and criminal law
experts to ensure legal compliance.
|
|
Fact-Finding Teams
|
Subpoena power, field
investigators, forensic accountants, etc.
|
|
Public Communications Office
|
To ensure transparency and
maintain public trust.
|
🔎
3. Scope of Authority
Define jurisdiction carefully:
- Crimes Under Federal Law: Fraud, abuse of power, obstruction of justice,
espionage, etc.
- Violations of International Law or Human Rights: If applicable, referencing treaty obligations like
the Geneva Conventions or the Rome Statute.
- Abuse of Office:
Patterns of unethical or unlawful executive conduct, potentially including
use of pardons, national security powers, or foreign influence.
📜
4. Powers and Tools
Like the Watergate and Church
Committees, this one could have:
- Subpoena Power
(for testimony and documents)
- Contempt Proceedings
(if witnesses refuse to cooperate)
- Immunity Grants
(to compel testimony)
- Collaboration with DOJ, IGs, and GAO (for law enforcement and auditing)
- Public Hearings
(modeled after Nuremberg/Watergate for transparency)
🌐
5. Accountability and Justice Mechanisms
This committee wouldn’t itself try
cases like the Nuremberg Tribunal but could:
- Refer Evidence to DOJ for Prosecution
- Recommend Articles of Impeachment
- Propose Structural Reforms (e.g., limit executive privilege, create an
independent prosecutorial body)
🧭
6. Nuremberg-Like Features
To mirror the moral clarity and
legal rigor of Nuremberg, the committee should:
|
Feature
|
Implementation
|
|
Documented Record of Abuses
|
Create a detailed historical and
legal archive.
|
|
Clear Ethical Framework
|
Use international human rights
principles as a guide.
|
|
Independent Judges or Review Panel
|
Consider appointing retired
federal judges or special masters.
|
|
Transparency
|
Public reports, televised
hearings, access to findings.
|
⚠️
7. Limitations
- No Judicial Authority:
Congress cannot convict or imprison.
- Political Risks:
Can be dismissed as partisan unless handled with extreme fairness.
- Constitutional Constraints: Especially regarding executive privilege and due
process.
✅
Example Precedents to Study
- Nuremberg Trials
– For legal structure and moral clarity.
- Watergate Hearings
– For oversight and public engagement.
- Iran-Contra Investigation
- Church Committee
– For intelligence and executive abuse oversight.
- Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (South Africa, others) – For moral legitimacy.
Here's a model draft resolution:
I'm sure this framework needs a lot of work before calling for a vote, but it is a beginning.
ChatGPT said:
Here's a model draft resolution
for establishing a Joint Congressional Committee to
Investigate Executive Branch Crimes and Abuses, structured to
align with U.S. law but inspired in part by the investigative rigor of the Nuremberg
Trials:
🏛️ Model Congressional Resolution (Joint)
"Joint Resolution to Establish the
Select Committee on Executive Accountability and Integrity"
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
JOINT RESOLUTION
To establish the Joint Select Committee on Executive
Accountability and Integrity to investigate alleged violations
of federal and international law by current or former officials of the
executive branch, including the President of the United States, and to ensure
constitutional accountability, transparency, and justice.
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Joint Resolution may be cited as the “Executive
Accountability and Integrity Act.”
SECTION 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT
COMMITTEE.
There is hereby established the Joint Select Committee
on Executive Accountability and Integrity (hereafter referred to as “the
Committee”).
SECTION 3. PURPOSE AND MANDATE.
The purpose of the Committee shall be to:
1. Investigate
credible allegations of criminal conduct, corruption, abuse of power, or
violations of federal or international law by executive branch officials,
including current and former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Cabinet Secretaries,
and senior advisors;
2. Document
a full public record of findings and make recommendations for criminal
referrals, civil liability, or structural reforms;
3. Uphold
the rule of law and constitutional accountability in the
highest offices of government.
SECTION 4. COMPOSITION.
·
The Committee shall consist of 20
members, 10 from the Senate and 10
from the House of Representatives, appointed equally by the
Majority and Minority Leaders of both chambers.
·
The Committee shall have two
Co-Chairs, one from each major political party, elected by the
Committee members.
SECTION 5. POWERS.
The Committee shall have the authority to:
·
Issue subpoenas
for testimony, documents, and records;
·
Administer oaths
and compel witnesses;
·
Work in cooperation with the Department
of Justice, Inspector Generals, Special
Counsel Offices, and relevant state attorneys general;
·
Hold public and closed
hearings;
·
Appoint independent special
legal advisors, including experts in constitutional law,
international law, and human rights;
·
Commission independent investigations
and forensic audits.
SECTION 6. INVESTIGATIVE AREAS.
Investigative authority shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Obstruction
of justice
2. Abuse
of pardon power
3. Improper
use of executive privilege
4. Foreign
interference or collusion
5. Unlawful
enrichment, fraud, or misuse of federal resources
6. Human
rights abuses or war crimes
7. Suppression
or manipulation of federal agencies or intelligence
SECTION 7. REFERRALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Committee may:
·
Refer evidence of criminal conduct to the Department
of Justice or other prosecutorial authorities;
·
Recommend Articles of Impeachment,
if applicable;
·
Propose legislative reforms
to prevent future abuses;
·
Publish a Final Report
of findings and recommendations.
SECTION 8. PUBLIC ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY.
·
Hearings shall be televised
or live-streamed, except where classified information is
involved.
·
All findings shall be made available through an
official public website and Congressional Record.
SECTION 9. DURATION AND FUNDING.
·
The Committee shall operate for a period of 24
months from the date of enactment, with the option of extension
by majority vote of both chambers.
·
Funding shall be appropriated by Congress as
necessary.
SECTION 10. PROTECTIONS AND IMMUNITIES.
·
The Committee shall ensure compliance with constitutional
due process protections.
·
Witnesses may be granted limited
immunity where necessary to obtain testimony.
·
Protections for whistleblowers,
government employees, and civil society informants shall be guaranteed.
SECTION 11. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder shall not be
affected.
SECTION 12. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This resolution shall take effect immediately upon enactment.
