Video: Trey Gowdy Hints at Contempt of Congress Charges For IRS Commissioner

In an appearance in the studio with Greta Van Susteren on Fox News’ On the Record, Wednesday evening following the contentious Oversight and Reform hearing with IRS Commissioner John Koskinen,  SC Congressman Trey Gowdy suggested that lawmakers may consider holding Koskinen in contempt of Congress if he refuses to hand over Lerner’s emails. Video of Gowdy’s questioning during the hearing, here.

Greta noted that if someone subpoenaed her emails, it would only take her only a day or two to provide 12 years worth of those emails. “And I email a lot,” she said.

Gowdy said that  he has recommended to Issa that they give the IRS Commissioner an ultimatum, “you’re gonna come back next Wednesday, and you’re going sit at that table until we get the documents we asked for. And if we don’t get them that day, you’re going to come back the next day and you’re going to stay with us until we get the documents.”  He said the Commissioner had indicated a willingness to provide the January 2010 emails – which he hoped would come as soon as this Friday.

Asked if he thinks he’ll get the emails, Gowdy hinted at what might be in  Koskinen’s future if he continues to stonewall, “Well, we’re already going to do contempt of Congress for Lois Lerner,” he said, “that’s coming up in the very near future.”

“One of the reasons they don’t answer our subpoenas is they don’t fear any consequences,” Gowdy explained. “And that’s something I’ve never been able to explain to you, is why we don’t stand up for our institution more.”

“And that’s why we’re back to contempt,” concluded Susteren.

Gowdy reiterated on Thursday morning that the Committee would be “holding Lois Lerner in contempt no matter what” and complained that this body is too slow to mete out legal consequences when other agencies don’t do what we tell them to do.