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White House Stonewalls on Subpoenas

Bush invokes executive privilege in Senate probe of US attorney firings

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 28, 2007 5:35 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The White House shot down attempts to subpoena internal documents concerning the US attorney firings today by invoking executive privilege. Though not a surprise, the refusal moved the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to accuse the administration of "Nixonian stonewalling." If the committee doesn't back down, the Times reports, the next step is a Congressional resolution on contempt citations.

The White House counsel said the administration was "forced down this unfortunate path"—refusing to turn over documents from the ex-counsel and political affairs director, or allow them to testify. “The president and vice president feel they are above the law," committee chairman Patrick Leahy fumed. Counsel Fred Fielding defended the move, saying 8,500 pages of documents have been released.

Presidential advisor Karl Rove, right, and White House Counsel Fred Fielding, center, leave the Capitol after meeting with senators Thursday, May 24, 2007 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Presidential advisor Karl Rove, right, and White House Counsel Fred Fielding, center, leave the Capitol after meeting with senators Thursday, May 24, 2007 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Lauren...   (Associated Press)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., right, accompanied by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., discusses the committee's issuance of subpoenas for the legal basis of the Bush administration's domestic surveillance program, Wednesday, June 27, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., right, accompanied by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., discusses the committee's issuance of subpoenas for the legal basis of the Bush administration's...   (Associated Press)
Vice President Dick Cheney addresses the National Association of Manufacturers breakfast in Washington in this, Feb. 14, 2007, file photo. The Senate subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney's office Wednesday, June 27, 2007, demanding documents and elevating the confrontation with President Bush over the administration's warrant-free eavesdropping...
Vice President Dick Cheney addresses the National Association of Manufacturers breakfast in Washington in this, Feb. 14, 2007, file photo. The Senate subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick...   (Associated Press)
*Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush stand in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington in this Nov. 9, 2006, file photo. The Senate subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney's office, Wednesday, June 27, 2007, demanding documents and elevating the confrontation with President Bush...
*Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush stand in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington in this Nov. 9, 2006, file photo. The Senate subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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The blogosphere reacts

"The greater threat may come from subpoenas issued by the Judiciary Committee yesterday"
Washington Post

"The White House is obviously hiding something"
The Left Coaster

"Most judgments about executive privilege are simply partisan"
Moderate Voice

"This still strikes me as a scandal in search of any real wrongdoing"
Captain's Quarters

Related links

Mark January 2009 on your calendar
Reuters

A constitutional showdown looms
Washington Post

Specter backs up the White House
Associated Press

 
Congress • US attorney • investigation • Senate Democrats • Senate Judiciary Committee • White House • Harriet Miers • House of Representatives • Fred Fielding • Sara M. Taylor • Patrick Leahy • executive privilege • subpoena • stonewall • scandal • George W. Bush

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