Federal Judge: Bush Aides can be subpoenaed to testify
In a victory for the much embattled congress, a Federal Judge ruled Thursday that executive privilege does not preclude Bush advisors Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten from appearing in conjunction with congressional subpoenas.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge John Bates said there’s no legal basis for Bush’s argument and that his former legal counsel, Harriet Miers, must appear before Congress. If she wants to refuse to testify, he said, she must do so in person. The committee also has sought to force testimony from White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten. MSNBC Story
Although only Bolten and Miers were mentioned in Congress’ petition, they are hoping that this victory will also allow them to enforce the subpoena that they have issued to close Bush adviser Karl Rove.
(Writer’s Commentary: Unfortunately, Bush will probably appeal this ruling to the Supreme Court, which is no longer balanced, but more in his favor as a result of the two appointments he made during his presidency.* Hopefully this doesn’t get to the Supreme Court and we can actually see these advisors in front of Congress to see them defend their involvement. And they will probably invoke executive privilege once they get there, but at least they will be complying with the subpoenas. Freedom of information will yet again get screwed in favor of secrecy and cronyism. What makes this more ironic is the subpoenas are in reference to dirty dealings in the hirings and firings in the Justice Department.)
* Disregard first sentence of writer’s commentary. Edited to remove my biased, and wrong partisan views. I’m nothing if not willing to admit my mistakes.
1. August 2008 at :
I know I’m going to get hit hard on this one, but it really struck me!
1. August 2008 at :
Bush made two appointments during his presidency that were vetted and approved through the Senate. If they were partisan appointments (they weren’t) the Senate had every opportunity to deny Bush’s appointees.
From the US Constitution (Article II, Section 2, clause 2) [T]he President “shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint … Judges of the supreme Court.”
The idea that Bush and the conservatives have packed the Supreme Court is one of the biggest pieces of hooey out there. Right now, the court is really a Four, Four split with Kennedy being the swing. It is about as balanced as a Supreme Court can be.
In response to your post, I agree. I think Presidentials aides should be compelled to testify to Congress if subpoenad. Like you article says, they can refuse to testify once there, but being there is the important part. I doubt very highly the Supreme Court would overturn this because of the dangerous impact it would have on all subpoenas.
1. August 2008 at :
wow…fair enough. I actually put the part about the Supreme Court being partisan in there specifically to see how you would react.
1. August 2008 at :
I edited the post…any reason I can’t use the strikethrough or edit to change color of the font? I also apparently can’t embed video
1. August 2008 at :
I trust I didn’t disappoint. My ring wing superiors will be pleased.
3. August 2008 at :
wrap what you want to strikeout in an
s tag4. August 2008 at :
thanks, I had to do it in the HTML interface…it doesn’t work in the regular interface.