OnPolitics: Trump's harsh comments on Colin Powell

Good afternoon, OnPolitics Readers.

Investigations into January 6 continue as the House Select Committee on the Capitol attack will vote to begin contempt proceedings against former Trump adviser Steve Bannon after he refused to cooperate with the panel's subpoena. 

Now, the committee is ramping up its efforts to compel him to testify and deter others they have subpoenaed from not cooperating, which could include possible jail time and fines. 

Why is Bannon refusing to cooperate? Trump's lawyers have directed witnesses not to cooperate with congressional investigators, invoking executive privilege.

But the Biden administration has rejected the former president's attempt to withhold documents from the investigating panel. 

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It's Amy and Mabinty with today's top stories out of Washington.

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'But anyway': Trump on Colin Powell's death 

This week started off with the tragic death of Colin Powell, the trailblazing military commander and first Black secretary of state. Powell, 84, died Monday of COVID-19-related complications. He reportedly had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that makes it difficult to fight infections.

What else did he do?: Powell was born in New York City to Jamaican immigrants, served several U.S. presidents and rose to become the first Black and the youngest chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest-ranking military officer. As secretary of state, Powell oversaw U.S. diplomacy in the aftermath of the Sep. 11, 2001, terror attacks and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. 

How did people react? The news of his death rippled across the country, sparking an outpouring of grief and praise for his decades of public service. President Joe Biden and four living former U.S. presidents remembered Powell as an American hero who led with honor, integrity and wisdom during his four decades in public life. 

Enter Trump: A day after the death of Powell, former President Donald Trump disparaged the diplomat and decorated general in a statement released by his office.

Trump criticized Powell's record on the Iraq War and derided the news media for treating the former secretary of state "so beautifully" after his death.

"Hope that happens to me someday," Trump said. "He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!" 

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SCOTUS sides with police in qualified immunity cases

The Supreme Court sided Monday with police in two cases in which plaintiffs claimed officers used excessive force, overturning separate lower court rulings that had allowed the officers to be sued for civil rights violations. 

In two unsigned opinions, the court stressed police are entitled to be shielded from liability unless it is "clear to a reasonable officer" that their actions are unlawful. In both cases the court ruled that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that protects police from liability for civil rights violations in many circumstances.

What is qualified immunity? Qualified immunity is a legal provision that protects government officials from being held personally responsible for potential on-the-job misconduct or unconstitutional actions. It does not apply in criminal cases.

The Supreme Court introduced the doctrine in 1967 for law enforcement officers who were acting in "good faith."

Why do people oppose qualified immunity? Critics say qualified immunity lets police off the hook in virtually every case in which their actions are not specifically prohibited. Police organizations have long countered that officers need immunity in cases when they must defend themselves and split-second decisions can lead to unforeseen tragedy. 

Not ready to return to pre-pandemic life? Our Life team has compiled a list of 100 ways to be productive at home. — Amy and Mabinty