If you knowingly lie to congress, should you be charged?

Not so simple. If we are to convict it as a crime, then it should be criminal for anyone who does this, and not only for partisan purposes (such as alienating a sitting president from staff).

However, if we aren't saying it's a crime, then it's a crime for no one.

The problem we see today, is that many get a free pass, and others sentenced equal to a sentence for manslaughter.

Hazelelponi said:

Not so simple. If we are to convict it as a crime, then it should be criminal for anyone who does this, and not only for partisan purposes (such as alienating a sitting president from staff).

However, if we aren't saying it's a crime, then it's a crime for no one.

The problem we see today, is that many get a free pass, and others sentenced equal to a sentence for manslaughter.

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Unfortunately, what you're describing here (justice) doesn't square with modern day politics. The only thing that matters for many nowadays is their own agenda, and they will do anything to achieve it.

Yes. You should be charged for lying to Congress.

I don't suppose this thread is gonna be about Erik Prince, is it?

Absolutely.

It's a shame both side are getting a pass on that.

I believe lying under oath is a crime. And I doubt that's constrained to the courts. If they swear a person in for congressional testimony, as they sometimes but not always do, there must be a legal basis for it, and therefore criminal consequences for violating one's oath should ensue. If one doesn't want to answer he can always "plead the 5th".

If you are sworn in and knowing lie to Congress, then yes you should be charged.

Even better, if you lie within congress should you be charged !? Like in witch hunts where the witches do the hunting.

Dave G. said:

Even better, if you lie within congress should you be charged !? Like in witch hunts where the witches do the hunting.

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If you mean charging Congressmen for statements they made in Congress, that's against the Constitution.

I voted "Perhaps". If congress were to ask along the lines of, "are you hiding any Jews?" Then saying NO is not only a very legitimate option but also the absolute right thing to do.

In Canada lying to Parliament is tantamount to treason. I would be astonished if it were any different in the USA. Actually that was the reason for the impeachment trial of President Clinton.

The State of the Union address would be pretty perilous. But perhaps under oath.

If Trump were forced to swear an oath about telling the truth he would be a whole lot more careful in his public statements.

Hi HL,

If, under an oath given to tell the truth, you lie, then you have broken the law.
If, you break the law, then you can be charged.

Reality, it's going to depend on how serious the breach is. Any time someone breaks the law and is found doing so, there is always some decision to be made as to whether or not to pursue such a matter in the courts is worthwhile.

A police officer is assaulted by someone taking a swing at them. If the 'someone' is his next door neighbor or some friend who just got drunk or somehow got so angry as to swing at him, the police officer will likely overlook the offense. If the 'someone' is some perp that he's chased down, he likely won't. Both people committed the same offense, but the party responsible for bringing the charges chose two different solutions to the offense. The same thing happens with all crime.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

paul1149 said:

I believe lying under oath is a crime. And I doubt that's constrained to the courts. If they swear a person in for congressional testimony, as they sometimes but not always do, there must be a legal basis for it, and therefore criminal consequences for violating one's oath should ensue. If one doesn't want to answer he can always "plead the 5th".

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I think you can only plead the fifth to protect yourself, not for any other reason or person.

It's definitely a crime. But if we prosecuted everyone who is technically guilty of a crime, we'd never survive. It depends upon how serious it is and whether the intent is criminal. This is a general principle that applies to all prosecutions. Because of this kind of discretion, it's important to have prosecutors with good judgement and no axe to grind.

Norbert L said:

I voted "Perhaps". If congress were to ask along the lines of, "are you hiding any Jews?" Then saying NO is not only a very legitimate option but also the absolute right thing to do.

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Hi norbert,

Your position is duly noted. However the question isn't whether one 'should ever' lie to Congress.

Let's take your example and say that the person was found out to have been lying in his testimony. Should he be charged? Yes, we are speaking here of a nation or state Congress asking for sworn testimony given under oath of truthfulness. The person in question gave testimony that they were not or had not ever hidden any Jews. It is later proven that he did. 10 Jews were found being protected by him and his family in the man's basement. Being fed and offered toilet facilities and clothing and a place to sleep. The man has given false testimony to the authorities under oath. Keep in mind that we're not talking here about a Gestapo group of soldiers banging on his door in the middle of the night asking if he was harboring any Jews, but a formal testimony given under oath with his right hand raised to God that all that he was going to say was going to be truthful. Should that man then be charged?

God bless,
In Christ, ted