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

White House Expands Exec Privilege Claims

Congressional Dems face new obstacle in US attorneys probe

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2007 5:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – White House officials have made a broad new claim to executive privilege that would block the Justice Department from pursuing contempt charges initiated by Congress, the Washington Post reports. Citing a Regan-era legal opinion, they argued that "A US attorney would not be permitted to bring contempt charges or convene a grand jury in an executive privilege case."

The assertion is the latest in a constitutional grappling match between Congress and President Bush over the firing of 9 US attorneys late last year. It presents new obstacles for Democrats who've threatened to bring contempt charges against former White House officials who are defying subpoenas on the president's orders.

President Bush waves as he walks from the Oval Office to the residence of the White House before his departure to Camp David, Friday, July 20, 2007, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Associated Press)

PICT0239.JPG ((c) TopTechWriter.US)

(Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Sign of Hope? Harry Reid Postpones Debt Vote

It's now scheduled for Sunday afternoon as talks intensify

(NEWSER) - It's either a sign that a last-minute deal is truly in sight or one last tease: Harry Reid has postponed a 1am procedural vote on his plan to raise the debt ceiling until tomorrow afternoon, reports the Hill . Reid says the delay is intended to give negotiations with Republicans under way at the White House more time to play out. The Senate majority leader, who didn't appear to have the 60 votes necessary to prevail anyway, says the postponement came at the request of the White House because the talks were making progress. More»

Supreme Court Steps Into Thorny Case on Jerusalem

Case questions birth country of Jerusalem-born American

(NEWSER) - The Supreme Court is about to take on a case that tangles Israeli politics with questions of congressional and executive power. It will hear an appeal from the parents of an American born in Jerusalem—a city the US doesn’t recognize as belonging to Israel—who wants Israel listed as his birthplace on his US passport instead of "Jerusalem," as is currently the policy. State department officials have denied the request of Menachem Zivotofsky’s US-born parents, who moved to Israel in 2000; both the district court and an appeals court ruled that it had no authority to consider the claim. More»

GOP in Good Shape to Take Senate Majority

Republicans need a net gain of 3 seats, and 5 Dem-held seats are toss-ups

(NEWSER) - Thanks in part to a rash of Democrats retiring from the Senate , things are looking pretty good for the Republicans in 2012. In the first edition of its 2012 race ratings, The Hill places five seats currently held by Democrats in the “toss-up” column—and Republicans only need a net gain of three seats to win control. Three of those toss-ups are due to retirements; the other two are Montana Sen. Jon Tester and Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson. More»

New Low: Congress' Approval Rating Hits 13%

Only 13% approve of the job it's doing

(NEWSER) - Virtually no one is pleased with the current Congress. In a new Gallup poll, just 13% said they approve of the job Congress is doing, compared to 83% who said they disapprove. That’s an all-time nadir, according to Politico ; previously, the lowest level was 14% in July 2008. Among Democrats, approval has fallen from 29% in November to just 16% now. Republicans are even harsher, naturally, with a mere 7% giving Congress a passing grade. More»

Hoyer, Clyburn Jockey to Be Pelosi's Right Hand

Deal will probably preempt secret ballot

(NEWSER) - The sound and fury of the midterm elections may be over, but the end of electoral voting brings about a round of behind-the-scenes jockeying for power. Reps. James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer are both plausible candidates for leading the Democratic minority in the house, but given that Nancy Pelosi will keep her post (well, with "majority" changed to "minority") they've begun low-key insider campaigns for the No. 2 slot, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

White House Expands Exec Privilege Claims

Congressional Dems face new obstacle in US attorneys probe

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Bush administration • Congress • US attorney • Democrats • White House • executive privilege

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Sign of Hope? Harry Reid Postpones Debt Vote

It's now scheduled for Sunday afternoon as talks intensify

Supreme Court Steps Into Thorny Case on Jerusalem

Case questions birth country of Jerusalem-born American

GOP in Good Shape to Take Senate Majority

Republicans need a net gain of 3 seats, and 5 Dem-held seats are toss-ups

New Low: Congress' Approval Rating Hits 13%

Only 13% approve of the job it's doing

Hoyer, Clyburn Jockey to Be Pelosi's Right Hand

Deal will probably preempt secret ballot

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

White House Expands Exec Privilege Claims

Congressional Dems face new obstacle in US attorneys probe

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Bush administration • Congress • US attorney • Democrats • White House • executive privilege

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Sign of Hope? Harry Reid Postpones Debt Vote

It's now scheduled for Sunday afternoon as talks intensify

Supreme Court Steps Into Thorny Case on Jerusalem

Case questions birth country of Jerusalem-born American

GOP in Good Shape to Take Senate Majority

Republicans need a net gain of 3 seats, and 5 Dem-held seats are toss-ups

New Low: Congress' Approval Rating Hits 13%

Only 13% approve of the job it's doing

Hoyer, Clyburn Jockey to Be Pelosi's Right Hand

Deal will probably preempt secret ballot

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?