Nadler's Legal Troubles: Breaking The Law?

There have been questions raised about whether Jerry Nadler, the U.S. representative for New York's 12th congressional district, is asking Attorney General Barr to break the law. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has called the request absurd, stating that Nadler is failing in the most basic of motions of being a chairman. McCarthy also claims that Nadler has not read the redacted portions of the Mueller report. Nadler has also been criticised for incorrectly claiming that Kyle Rittenhouse took a gun across state lines, and for expressing interest in Biden dropping out of the presidential race. However, Nadler earned an A grade from the Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index for his tenure as chair of the House Judiciary Committee in the 116th Congress.

Is Jerry Nadler asking Attorney General Barr to break the law?

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) joined Fox News' "The Daily Briefing" with Dana Perino to discuss Chairman Nadler's request to Attorney General Barr. McCarthy called the request absurd and accused Nadler of asking Barr to break the law.

McCarthy claimed that Nadler attempted to change the rules of the committee by allowing a staffer to interview a cabinet member, which has never been allowed in the history of Congress. He also alleged that Nadler has failed to perform the basic duties of a chairman effectively.

McCarthy further suggested that Nadler is asking Attorney General Barr to break the law and that if Barr refuses, Nadler will hold him in contempt. He stated that Nadler has the right to read the redacted portions of the Mueller report but has not done so.

In response to these accusations, it is important to consider the specific context and details of Nadler's request to Attorney General Barr. Without further information, it is challenging to determine the accuracy of McCarthy's claims and whether Nadler's request indeed involves any violation of the law.

Is Jerry Nadler breaking the law by unlawfully beginning impeachment proceedings?

On September 24, 2019, Representative Lance Gooden accused Jerry Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee Chairman, of unlawfully beginning impeachment proceedings against President Trump before the House had given the committee authorization. Gooden proposed a resolution to remove Nadler from his position as chair of the committee.

The accusation came after Nadler's committee kicked off an expansive investigation into whether President Trump had abused the power of his office. Nadler's committee had subpoenaed top Trump associates, including Attorney General William Barr and former White House Counsel Don McGahn, and held Barr in contempt when he refused to provide the full, unredacted version of the Mueller report.

Nadler had publicly towed the party line of putting fact-finding before moving ahead on impeachment. However, he privately conveyed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that an inquiry could be beneficial to stopping the White House from obstructing their probes. By July, part of the committee's justification for legally seeking Mueller's grand jury material was that they were investigating whether to recommend articles of impeachment.

Pelosi eventually threw her support behind an official impeachment inquiry in September, based on allegations that Trump had leveraged the power of the presidency to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden.

It is unclear whether Nadler did break the law by beginning impeachment proceedings without authorization from the House. However, as the House Judiciary Committee Chairman, he does have the power to vote on articles of impeachment and investigate to get the evidence to decide whether to do so.

Is Jerry Nadler breaking the law by supporting same-sex marriage?

Is Jerry Nadler, the US Congressman for New York, breaking the law by supporting same-sex marriage? The short answer is no. Nadler has been a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage for many years and has introduced and passed legislation to protect and enshrine it. This is not, however, a violation of US law.

In 2022, Nadler introduced the Respect for Marriage Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support. The Act provides additional federal protections for same-sex couples, repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and requiring that marriages valid in the state where they were performed be recognised for federal law purposes. This ensures that same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law, as required by the Constitution.

Nadler's support for same-sex marriage goes back at least as far as 2004, when he made a statement at a hearing entitled "Legal Threats to Traditional Marriage". In his statement, Nadler questioned the premise of the hearing, arguing that same-sex marriage was not a threat to traditional marriage and that discriminatory laws were being questioned around the country. He also highlighted the many loving families who deserved the benefits and protections of the law, and argued that the Constitution exists to protect the rights of unpopular minorities against the majority.

Despite his support for same-sex marriage, Nadler has not broken the law. In fact, his efforts to protect and enshrine marriage equality are in line with the Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court in rulings such as Obergefell v. Hodges. This ruling established that the Constitution protects marriage equality, and subsequent legislation such as the Respect for Marriage Act seeks to uphold and enforce this interpretation.

In conclusion, while Jerry Nadler has been a strong advocate for same-sex marriage, his actions do not constitute a violation of US law. On the contrary, his efforts to protect and expand the rights of LGBTQ individuals and families are in keeping with the country's legal framework and constitutional principles.

Is Jerry Nadler breaking the law by sponsoring the Freedom of Choice Act?

In 2004, Congressman Jerrold "Jerry" Nadler introduced the Freedom of Choice Act, H.R. 3719, which would have, for the first time, codified the rights guaranteed under the Constitution by Roe v. Wade. In his statement, Nadler said:

> "It would bar government – at any level – from interfering with a woman’s fundamental right to choose to bear a child, or to terminate a pregnancy."

He re-introduced the Act in 2006 as H.R. 5151.

As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and a leader in the House Pro-Choice Caucus, Nadler has often taken a central role in standing up to conservative attacks against every American's right to make personal decisions about reproductive health.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that Jerry Nadler is breaking the law by sponsoring the Freedom of Choice Act.

Is Jerry Nadler breaking the law by supporting the Equality Act?

Congressman Jerry Nadler, a Representative from New York, has been a vocal supporter of the Equality Act, a piece of legislation aimed at expanding civil rights for the LGBTQI+ community. The Act seeks to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals in various aspects of life, including employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. However, some have questioned whether Nadler's support for this Act constitutes a breach of the law.

To address this question, it is important to understand the nature of the Equality Act and the role of legislators like Congressman Nadler. As a member of the House of Representatives, Jerry Nadler is part of the legislative branch of the US government, tasked with creating and amending laws. The Equality Act falls within the realm of legislation, and as such, Nadler's support for and sponsorship of the Act are integral to the legislative process.

In his capacity as a legislator, Jerry Nadler is exercising his constitutional right to introduce, debate, and vote on proposed laws. The introduction of the Equality Act aligns with his responsibilities as a lawmaker and does not constitute a violation of the law. It is worth noting that the legislative process allows for robust discussions, amendments, and votes before a bill becomes law. Therefore, Nadler's actions are a standard part of the democratic process.

However, it is worth noting that there have been instances where Nadler's actions as a chairman have been questioned. In 2022, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy accused Nadler of making an "absurd" request to Attorney General Barr, suggesting that he was asking Barr to break the law. This accusation was related to a specific committee procedure and had no direct connection to the Equality Act.

In conclusion, Jerry Nadler's support for the Equality Act does not constitute a breach of the law. As a legislator, he is fulfilling his duty to propose and debate laws that address societal issues, such as discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community. While there may be differing opinions on the substance of the Equality Act, the legislative process, including the actions of Congressman Nadler, adheres to the established framework for creating and amending laws in the United States.

Frequently asked questions