House Panel Subpoenas Karl Rove

White House Says Judiciary Committee Is Making "Political Theater" Out Of The U.S. Attorney Firings Scandal

(CBS/AP)  The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday subpoenaed former White House top political adviser Karl Rove to testify about whether the White House improperly meddled with the Justice Department.

Accusations of politics influencing decisions at the department led to last year's resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

The subpoena issued Thursday orders Rove to testify before the House panel on July 10. He is expected to face questions about the White House's role in firing nine U.S. attorneys in 2006 and the prosecution of former Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama, a Democrat.

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers had negotiated with Rove's attorneys for more than a year over whether the former top aide to President Bush would testify voluntarily.

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Rove has failed to cooperate with our requests," Conyers, D-Mich., said in a statement. "Although he does not seem the least bit hesitant to discuss these very issues weekly on cable television and in the print news media, Mr. Rove and his attorney have apparently concluded that a public hearing room would not be appropriate."

"Unfortunately, I have no choice today but to compel his testimony on these very important matters," Conyers said.

Neither Rove nor his attorney, Robert Luskin, could be immediately reached for comment, but the White House slammed the subpoena.

A White House spokesman condemned the committee's subpoena as "political theater," reports CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

"Karl Rove has twice offered to answer the Committee's questions on the Siegelman matter," said Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto. "Instead the Committee has now subpoenaed him for the apparent purpose of asking him questions already covered by the President's prior assertion of Executive Privilege. They know he can't answer, but they want their political theater."

In a May 21 letter to the House panel, Luskin called the subpoena a "gratuitous confrontation," noting that Rove has been similarly ordered to testify by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Luskin maintained Rove would not testify because of an ongoing legal dispute over whether the White House could claim executive privilege in refusing to publicly share conversations Mr. Bush had with top advisers. Instead, he wrote, Rove could discuss the issues with congressional investigators - but only behind closed doors and without a transcript being made of the session.

"While the committee has the authority to issue a subpoena, it is hard to see what this will accomplish, apart from a Groundhog Day replay of the same issues that are already the subject of litigation," Luskin wrote in the letter, which was released by Conyers' staff.

Conyers also released a May 5 letter showing the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating whether Siegelman was the target of "selective, politically motivated prosecutions."

The office, which is the department's internal ethics board, also has been investigating whether politics played a part in the firing of nine U.S. attorneys in 2006.

Results of the joint inquiry into the fired prosecutors, which has been ongoing for more than a year with the department's inspector general, are expected to be released in coming months.

[aeasus]

Well it''s about time!

[mcvet]

Here come the judge! Here come the judge! Just like EVERY corrupt little man Mr. Rove and Sir Lies-A-Lot have a LOT of answering to do... this time though we are going to elect a Congress and a Prez with the POWER to bring them to justice. LOL I wonder how they will enjoy the cell next to big bubba?? Hey Karl can you squeal like a pig??? ROFLMAO Way to go dems!!

[lfitts1]

Let''s send the SOB to jail along with his boss

[libh8er]

Vicki, VICKI!!!! Did you turn off the lights...???? I can''''t see!!!!!!

[stevex47]

Send him to Gitmo for a little waterboarding fun that they like so much.

[ajayvee]

Come on, guys, do you really believe for a minute that Bush will allow Rove to testify? By the middle of June we will hear about Bush "ordering" Rove not to show up.

Incidentally, there was an overnight talk show and war crimes came up in the conversation. And one of the talking heads opined that there is not a single court in the world that has jurisdiction to try Bush for war crimes or crimes against humanity. I don''t know much about this stuff, but I find it hard to believe that one particular person is above all human law. Well, go figure! You learn something new every day.

[libh8er]

''Come on, guys, do you really believe for a minute that Bush will allow Rove to testify?''

Do you really believe he should? Haven''t the do nothing dem congress wasted enogh money on this bogus witch hunt?

One he other hand, at least they are unable to do any serious damamge as long as they''re wasting time on this. Please proceed! LOL

[dmgenet]

Karl Rove makes Slick Willie appear squeaky clean and in control of his sexual appetite. The difference is that Rove uses everyone for his agenda. He should be feared.

[cantshutup]

IT''S ABOUT D AM N TIME!!!!!!!!!!! GET THE REST OF THE CRIMINAL S.O.B''s TOO!!!!!! HANG ''EM HIGH!!!

[rlenham-2009]

This is just election year politics and the Democrats better be careful or they are gonna get burned big time. As a matter of fact why does Congress waste so much time holding hearings and investigating when they ought to be addressing big issues like the economy and energy independence and the national debt.

They are all a bunch of bas*****

[irliberal]

And so... it begins.

(and ends with some shackles for Rove-boy and lil Shrub)

[gorilla400lb]

No doubt that Bush will claim "Executive Privilege" on behalf of Rove. He''s done it for himself, and Cheney. He doesn''t want Rove to testify before anybody, because under oath, he will have to lie to protect Bush''s ***. PEOPLE....this is a corrupt administration...PERIOD. It doesn''t matter if your Republican or Democrat. They''re all the same!!! I''m glad that at least Conyers and Wexler are pursuing the crooks in the White House. Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice, Wolfiwitz, Rumsfeld are just a few who should be tried for High Crimes and Misdemeanors including Treason and crimes against the people of the United States of America!!!! WAKE UP and let''s take OUR country back from the Organized Crime Family known as the "Bush Elites"

[randynason]

Plead guilty and we''ll go easy on ya, Lard-As*.

[inventagod2]

Democrats with subpoenas - F U N

[singingrick]

It''s time that the Bush crime family is brought to justice. Aparently they think that being above the law is an executive privilege.

Let the fat lady sing.

lol!

[cbsblogger]

The Democrats have been all talk and no action as far as the shenanigans of Bush and Cheney.

[singingrick]

Of course Republicans believe it''s perfectly fine to spend nearly a decade and tens of millions in tax payer funds investigating a blowwjob. But when the President of the united states is believed to have actually broken the law, then any investigation at all is considered excessive.

lol!

[gorilla400lb]

Again...I don''t care if they''re Republican or Democrat! Crimes are Crimes!!! I, personally am more republican leaning. But the last 8 years have been atrocities to the American people and humans in general. And when I say that I "lean" towards Republican, I mean REAL REPUBLICAN. The true conservative republican. NOT your Bush''s or McCain''s. But the Republicans that beleive in limited gov''t, humble foreign policy, freedom and liberty for all Americans!

[one-american]

Liberals like having their tax dollars wasted on these silly Democrat goose-chases that end nowhere, and make the Democrat-controlled congess look just like the incompetent buffoons that they are.

Guess this is the "mandate" that some fools voted for in ''06.

[singingrick]

It''s time for the fat lady to sing.

lol!

[sgtrds-e4]

Just tthe libs trying to get who they can before Bush is gone.

Posted by zgomer at 06:03 PM : May 22, 2008

Oh it''s going to go on longer then that! Bush leaving the White House doesn''t mean he gets a get out of jail free card. Just like any other international war criminal he''s going to be hunted for the rest of his life and so are his co-conspirators.

[sgtrds-e4]

Hey Karl can you squeal like a pig??? ROFLMAO Way to go dems!!

Posted by MCVet at 04:17 PM : May 22, 2008

I got 2 bucks that says he can.

Posted by rharrin1 at 05:00 PM : May 22, 2008

Esp when he''s in the prison showers.......

[singingrick]

One-American

You mean like the 50 million dollar blowwjobgate investigation?

No sparky, that was the *** obsessed Republicons.

lol!

[ofbyfor1]

Posted by LibH8er at 04:38 PM

If you or I were ordered to appear to testify, what do you think would happen if we refused?

Do you think these people deserve special treatment?

Executive Privelege, yeah right.

Definition of that is ''an excuse we can pull out of our a$$ anytime we''ve had our hand in the cookie jar *** the American people and are afraid we might be caught and be tarred and feathered if the truth came out.''

[ofbyfor1]

Liberals like having their tax dollars wasted on these silly Democrat goose-chases that end nowhere, and make the Democrat-controlled congess look just like the incompetent buffoons that they are.

Guess this is the "mandate" that some fools voted for in ''''06.

Posted by One-American at 06:23 PM

And if it was a Democrat doing the EXACT SAME thing, you''d probably be one of the 1st ones creaming bloody murder at the top of your lungs.

Double standard much?

[lovegetpeace]

Folks,
When Karl Rove is found quilty, place him at Guantanamo Bay to get a taste of his own policies.

[lovegetpeace]

Hey One-American,
PLEASE continue to think, believe, feel, say, write and do exactly as you have been for the past 13 years.

Lately, the results have been awesome for the Democratic Party.

All the Liberals love you starting with me.

[ofbyfor1]

Liberals like having their tax dollars wasted on these silly Democrat goose-chases that end nowhere, and make the Democrat-controlled congess look just like the incompetent buffoons that they are.

Guess this is the "mandate" that some fools voted for in ''''06.

Posted by One-American at 06:23 PM

And if it was a Democrat doing the EXACT SAME thing, you''d probably be one of the 1st ones creaming bloody murder at the top of your lungs.

Double standard much?

[omnibus66]

No way Porky Pig is going to testify to Congress. He will claim executive privilege with the full backing of the Decider-In-Chief.

When the next Congress goes after him, when he can''t hide in a bush, he will have skipped to Dubai, where he can''t be extradited.

This is a good gesture, but that''s all it is.

[mcvet]

Liberals like having their tax dollars wasted on these silly Democrat goose-chases that end nowhere, and make the Democrat-controlled congess look just like the incompetent buffoons that they are.

Guess this is the "mandate" that some fools voted for in ''''06.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by One-American at 06:23 PM : May 22, 2008
+ report abuse

Is there someplace in your trailer park where you can get a copy of the CONSTITUTION... I know you Nazi''s don''t like it much but it''s still the law of the land. Now IF you can actually READ, find one and read the responsibilities of the Congress. Just because the Republican Party failed so badly in doing it''s job I guess you thought they were supposed to just be a rubber stamp huh? Typical Swastika hugger!! You might also try to find a HISTORY Book... your knowledge of the meaning of the word LIBERAL is lacking very badly...especially in a nation founded by LIBERALS!! Now get out the cross... let''s light it while saluting Darth! Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!! GOOD Bootlicker!! ROFLMAO

[ender18-2009]

Karl Roves worst crime was getting GW elected. He is probably one of the most influential players in ruining this country. He''ll probably sneak away like Scooter Libby...

[gce65]

Just swear him in and question him repeatedly until Bush is out of office and can''t pardon him. Then bring charges. And be sure to tape the whole process.

[jn122736]

Now would be a good time for Pelosi to put the possibility impeachment back on the table as leverage against Bush%u2019s using executive privilege to keep Rove from tedtifying.

The house has the sole power of impeachment and even if Bush is not convicted, his legacy would forever show that he was impeached, just as Bill Clinton%u2019s is. That might be incentive enough to finally get some answers from Rove, and others, under oath.

[taotxzen]

If you want to know, Google: Lee Atwater

[kansas1946]

Well, just make sure the little worm is under oath. Otherwise he will just lie his a** off like he has been doing for years.

[straightmate]

This whole administration is like an infestation of cockroaches. They should all be questioned, tried, convicted of war crimes, and imprisoned for the rest of their lives.

[lovegetpeace]

Folks,
President Bush got the Executive Pardon Powers before 20-Jan-2009.

Like Scooter Libby, president Bush will definitely use his last remaining power to Pardon Karl Roves.

Too bad, I wanted Karl to have fun waterboarding in Gitmo.

[the74blaster]

Liberals like having their tax dollars wasted on these silly Democrat goose-chases that end nowhere, and make the Democrat-controlled congess look just like the incompetent buffoons that they are.

Guess this is the "mandate" that some fools voted for in ''''''''06.

Posted by One-American at 06:23 PM''

As far as I am concerned the liberals have 140 million to spend before I give hoot. I would hope that you remember that is how much the GOP spent having Kenneth Starr investigate Clinton and all he could find was an affair with an intern. What a great use of tax payer dollars that was!

I wonder what the independent investigator would find if they spent 104 million investigating Bush?

[randynason]

If the Feds were able to get Al Capone on tax eveasion, surely there is something that Karlotta Rover can be charged with, don''t ya think? How about breaking the ordinance against being a butt-ugly closet queen?!!

[apprxam]

Congress could send in BlackWater to get Rove, he''s at Sean Hannity''s house, 666 Fox Channel Lame.

[apprxam]

Pelosi doesn''t want to impeach. I''ll turn off independents and drive them toward McCain. Let''s remember, they helped put BuShit in office twice and no one wants to be reminded that they screwed up.

[l8c6]

I think they should face the full penalty for treason and be placed in front of a firing squad.

That would make for some great TV

Posted by liberalameri


Are you saying they''d face the Texas style justice they only intended for the insignificant petty masses they call liberal whiners?

[brianbwb-2009]

"The only way the Bush administration will be held to account at the Hague, is if the MCA is repealed by the next president. This would then allow the ex post facto criminilization of their genocidal actions against Iraq ------ a country falsely linked to 911 and attacked for purely corporate gain." Posted by psy_war

Actually ex-post facto laws are forbidden by the constitution, as are bills of retainder, but this is not an ex-post facto criminalization.

Since the actions of the Bush administration were illegal before "the decider" tried to decide that they were not (after they had already committed breach, hence "ex-post facto"), it is rather the nullification of the "ex-post facto DE-criminalization" first enacted by the White House.

[stn_sage]

Karl Rove is NOT immune from prosecution via the Military Commissions Act of 2006!

I believe it also allows Bush to pardon himself and his administration from any and all laws they may have violated since 911! It''s pure BALONEY!

There''s NOTHING legal about ILLEGAL clauses in law! That are in direct violation of existing law!

MCA 2006 doesn''t supercede existing law that doesn''t allow co-conspirators to have private criminal discussions!

The Dems need to stop talk''in, and start WALK''IN!
Go after these war criminals, dammmit!

[singingrick]

It''s time to put the fat lady under oath and watch her sing.

lol!

[r9119111]

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Commissions_Act_of_2006
2. Baghdad year zero: Pillaging Iraq in pursuit of a neocon utopia
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2004/09/0080197

Posted by psy_war at 12:07 AM : May 23, 2008


Thank you for this information.

[brianbwb-2009]

"The Dems need to stop talk''''in, and start WALK''''IN!
Go after these war criminals, dammmit!" Posted by stn_sage

I am all for it, and any dem who doesn''t get on board should be called out and made to explain themselves, or he charged with aiding and abetting obstruction of justice.

[nonayabiness]

When Iraq gets its act together, do you think they will come over and prosecute GW Bush for war crimes?

I am so angry still over this farce we call the war with Iraq that I could pull my hair out!!!!!!

[drinuk]

"The White House Meddled with the Justice Dept" Of course they have, they have meddled in and corrupted government, Bully Boy Bush and his Mafia have emulated Hitler''s march across Europe, in stomping on our democracy and all it as stood for. Nixon could be regarded as a P U S S Y cat compared to this bunch of crooks. America must put these people on trial, they are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans and for wrecking our society, our traditions and the lives of the majority.

[tapsettle]

[Posted by LibH8er at 04:30 PM : May 22, 2008

Vicki, VICKI!!!! Did you turn off the lights...???? I can''''''''t see!!!!!!

-----------------------------------------------------]

LibH8er - that''s because you have yr head quite a way up yr own a$$.