Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Dems Threaten White House With Contempt

Last warning on mum aides in probe of fired attorneys

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 6, 2007 7:24 AM CST

(Newser) – Democrats have threatened a vote holding White House aides in contempt of Congress if they don't cooperate with an investigation into last year's firing of federal attorneys, the AP reports. A citation, approved this summer by a House judiciary committee, was filed yesterday. If approved by the entire House, a US attorney might prosecute the case.

The White House insists the aides are protected by executive privilege. The aides, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolton and former counsel Harriet Myers, refused to testify in hearings on the White House firings of at least nine federal prosecutors. The White House has offered to allow off-the-record discussions.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)   (Associated Press)
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., left, and Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas take part in a full committee markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, for a proposed contempt citation against two White House aides who have refused to comply with subpoenas on the firings...
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., left, and Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas take part in a full committee markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, for a...   (Associated Press)
Incoming White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten is shown in the Oval Office of the White House, in this March 28, 2006, file photo in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file)
Incoming White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten is shown in the Oval Office of the White House, in this March 28, 2006, file photo in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

House Committee Charges Bush Aides With Contempt

Bush Aides Must Testify: Judge

Executive Privilege Goes to Court

White House Stonewalls on Subpoenas

Bush Could Block Probes Even After He Steps Down


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne