Article - excerpt

[t-bob]

Former President Donald Trump yesterday sued Congress and the National Archives, seeking to block the disclosure of White House files regarding his actions and communications related to the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
  In the 26-page complaint, Trump’s lawyer argues that the files sought by Congress are protected by executive privilege under the Constitution even though Trump no longer holds office and President Biden has declined to protect them himself.
  At the heart of the dispute is whether a former or current president can use executive privilege to hide criminal behavior and possibly even sedition, an attempt to overthrow the government.  The lawsuit has the potential to become a constitutional legal battle between Trump and the House committee investigating the insurrection in which a mob of Trumpies stormed the Capitol attempting to stop Congress from formalizing the election of Joe Biden.  The fight could set new precedents about presidential prerogatives and the separation of powers.
  Today, the House committee investigating the insurrection might consider contempt proceedings against Trump’s ally Steve Bannon, who has refused to comply with a subpoena. 

Rooney Report
October 19, 2021
Volume 10, No. 245

[howard lee]

I'm not sure I see what the problem is. Presuming innocence of any crime, why would a former elected government official file such a lawsuit? Also, aren't those documents a matter of public record anyway? Additionally, is asking such questions on this forum merely an act of pissin' in the wind?

What is FOIA?

Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement.

The FOIA also requires agencies to proactively post online certain categories of information, including frequently requested records. As Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court have all recognized, the FOIA is a vital part of our democracy.
What is the Presumption of Openness and Who Issues Guidance to Agencies on the FOIA?

The FOIA provides that when processing requests, agencies should withhold information only if they reasonably foresee that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption, or if disclosure is prohibited by law. Agencies should also consider whether partial disclosure of information is possible whenever they determine that full disclosure is not possible and they should take reasonable steps to segregate and release nonexempt information. The Office of Information Policy at the Department of Justice is responsible for issuing government-wide guidance on the FOIA as part of its responsibilities to encourage all agencies to fully comply with both the letter and the spirit of the FOIA.

www.foia.gov/

[Rob Hanesworth]

drlj will have to confirm this, but wasn't "pissin' in the wind" a grunge band out of Seattle, contemporaries of Nirvana?

[howard lee]

Oct 19, 2021 13:05:29 GMT -5 Rob Hanesworth said:

drlj will have to confirm this, but wasn't "pissin' in the wind" a grunge band out of Seattle, contemporaries of Nirvana?

I don't know about no grunge bands, but it's a Jerry Jeff Walker song.