Rove Ignores Subpoena, Refuses To Testify

Former Bush Adviser A No-Show At Hearing On Alleged Political Pressure At Justice Dept.

(CBS/ AP)  Former White House adviser Karl Rove defied a congressional subpoena and refused to testify Thursday about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department, including whether he influenced the prosecution of a former Democratic governor of Alabama.

Rep. Linda Sanchez, chairman of a House subcommittee, ruled with backing from fellow Democrats on the panel that Rove was breaking the law by refusing to cooperate - perhaps the first step toward holding him in contempt of Congress.

Lawmakers subpoenaed Rove in May in an effort to force him to talk about whether he played a role in prosecutors' decisions to pursue cases against Democrats, such as former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, or in firing federal prosecutors considered disloyal to the Bush administration.

Rove had been scheduled to appear at the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday morning. A placard with his name sat in front of an empty chair at the witness table, with a handful of protesters behind it calling for Rove to be arrested.

A decision on whether to pursue contempt charges now goes to the full Judiciary Committee and ultimately to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

House Republicans called Thursday's proceedings a political stunt and said if Democrats truly wanted information they would take Rove up on an offer he made to discuss the matter informally.

Rove offered to appear in private, with no oath or transcript, but Democrats said no, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss.

The House already has voted to hold two of President Bush's confidants in contempt for failing to cooperate with its inquiry into whether the administration fired nine federal prosecutors in 2006 for political reasons.

The case, involving White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, is in federal court and may not be resolved before Bush's term ends in January.

The White House has cited executive privilege, arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify.

Rove says he is bound to follow the White House's guidance, although he has offered to answer questions specifically on the Siegelman case - but only with no transcript taken and not under oath.

Democrats have rejected the offer because the testimony would not be sworn and, they say, could create a confusing record.

Rove has insisted publicly that he never tried to influence Justice Department decisions and was not even aware of the Siegelman prosecution until it landed in the news.

Siegelman - an unusually successful Democrat in a heavily Republican state - was charged with accepting and concealing a contribution to his campaign to start a state education lottery, in exchange for appointing a hospital executive to a regulatory board.

He was sentenced last year to more than seven years in prison but was released in March when a federal appeals court ruled Siegelman had raised "substantial questions of fact and law" in his appeal.

Siegelman and others have alleged the prosecution was pushed by GOP operatives - including Rove, a longtime Texas strategist who was heavily involved in Alabama politics before working at the White House. A former Republican campaign volunteer from Alabama told congressional attorneys last year that she overheard conversations suggesting that Rove pressed Justice officials in Washington to prosecute Siegelman.

The career prosecutors who handled Siegelman's case have insisted that Rove had nothing to do with it, emphasizing that the former governor was convicted by a jury.

[foxmulder33]

If what Rove says is true, he should pony up and testify. His actions lead the panel and everyone else to believe he is hiding something. Given his past, it''s understandable he is afraid to face questioning.

[chalres-2009]

Stick this scumbag in jail. NOW....

[imarltool2u]

Fry his fat azz!

[tonyd_31]

Is this any surprise? We have the most corrupt, incompetent administration in history of which Rove is the chief architect. How can one be so silly to say that he will testify informally or off the record. If there is nothing to hide, why not just testify under oath like the rest of us have to?

[irliberal]

"Rove Ignores Subpoena, Refuses To Testify"

Slap him him manacles and FRY HIM! NOW!

[anecdote1]

Let''s try waterboarding his fat arse!

[samthetvcat]

Throw him in jail for contempt! Oh happy day!

[jjp735i]

And Congress will do nothing about it. Once again.

[perceptions5]

We need to throw the Democrats in this Do Nothing Democrat Congress in jail.

More political lynchings from the party that invented them, in the South of course.

Congress approval ratings = 9% approval.........sad

[bobnjersey]

[Rep. Linda Sanchez, chairman of a House subcommittee, ruled with backing from fellow Democrats on the panel that Rove was breaking the law by refusing to cooperate - perhaps the first step toward holding him in contempt of Congress. ]

first step ... and it took all this time? he''s been breaking the law w/ his lawless gang of fools for the last seven years.

[timdgrim]

Two types of laws in this country....The laws for Bush''s and Cheney''s Oil friends (no law) and then there are laws for the rest of us...(servants to the rich and connected) otherwise known as:
Fascism!

[bobnjersey]

[Congress approval ratings = 9% approval.........sad]
[Posted by perceptions5 at 12:58 PM : Jul 10, 2008]

how many republicans are in that congress?

[Gary Kempf]

Rove says he is bound to follow the White House''s guidance, although he has offered to answer questions specifically on the Siegelman case - but only with no transcript taken and not under oath.

No transcript and no oath, Gee he seems like such a honest man. (sarcasm)

[cold777]

When will the Dems actually stand up for what they believe in, instead of giving in to the toe-tapping Republicans?

[anecdote1]

Throw him in jail for contempt! Oh happy day!
Posted by SamTheTVCat at 12:56 PM

If I didn''t think Rove would thoroughly enjoy the cavity search, I''d agree.

[cold777]

If I didn''''t think Rove would thoroughly enjoy the cavity search, I''''d agree.


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Posted by anecdote1
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LOL!

[sidvicious46]

There''s a difference between petty partisanship and the law.

[joan1v]

This DO NOTHING CONGRESS, will not hold Bush or any of his gang responsible. They are afraid the *** they have pulled will also be found out. Vote the whole bunch out of office. Have term limits these politicans stay in office so long they think they have the right to sell the american people and our country to the highest bidder. No reason for Sen. Byrd, Sen. Kennedy, Sen. Lott, or for that matter Sen.Helms and I could go on and on to be in office for so long

[ubrew12]

Since Democrats decided yesterday that its OK to spy on Americans without Judicial branch oversight, thereby tearing up the 4th Amendment, I find it hard to feel sorry for them when Rove uses similar powers to unfairly target Democrats and ''liberal'' prosecutors. I mean, among others, that''s what the 4th Amendment is there to protect us from. If they don''t think its worth the paper its written on, they can pay the consequences.

[sidvicious46]

Ah bullshyyyt.

[anecdote1]

There''s a difference between petty partisanship and the law.
Posted by sidvicious46 at 01:03 PM

With the exception of executive privilege....

[leftyintexas]

If I didn''''t think Rove would thoroughly enjoy the cavity search, I''''d agree.

Posted by anecdote1 at 01:01 PM : Jul 10, 2008

You think he''d still enjoy it with a cattle prod?

[sidvicious46]

For 8 years you liberals have done nothing but complain. And we''re supposed to take it as legal truth? Yer living in a dream land.

[anecdote1]

You think he''d still enjoy it with a cattle prod?
Posted by leftyintexas at 01:07 PM

I can''t think of a republican that wouldn''t...

[dredre2k]

Wow... ignored a Subpoena. I believe they jail people for that. Hold him in content!... wait, he''s a republican that work(ed)s for bush... that won''t happen.

[cold777]

Rove is going to escape with no punishment.....this is obvious.

[stevex47]

So much for the nutjobs obeying Congress the law, or the Constitution. No surprise. You don''t think nutjobs obey laws do you?

[danstoned]

sidvicious46

Republicons are americas tarnished brand name. YOu Republicon white neocon trash are gonna pay dearly in November.

[harrydoghiny]

Executive privilege doesn''t apply to private citizens, that being said, the impotent Congressional traitors
who call themselves Democrats will do nothing. They need to uphold their oaths and send the Sergeant at Arms after the little bald-headed turdd.

[leftyintexas]

I like the headline: Presented by EXXONMOBIL, Rove Ignores Subpoena, Refuses to Testify. That says it all.

[sidvicious46]

My advise? Don''t do anything. Its just another stupid ********* liberal accusation.

[ioweign]

Rove offered to appear in private, with no oath or transcript, but Democrats said no, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss.

#####


So Rove IS willing to lie...

[scallywag8]

This country is run by a bunch of thugs. They need to be exiled! They are destroying us and WE are letting them. Just bending over and taking it up the tale pipe. Come on everybody, lets do it again.

[stevex47]

"For 8 years you liberals have done nothing but complain."

Ya, little things like this, lies about WMD''s, outting CIA agents, kinda gets under law abiding citizens skin.

[Gary Kempf]

You think he''''d still enjoy it with a cattle prod?



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Posted by leftyintexas

I''m sure he wouldn''t mind, After all I am sure he has been to Bushes Ranch many times, and may be familiar with that sensation.

[cold777]

The only way anything will get accomplished in this country is if you have a Dem President, Senate and House......

[newsjunky5]

"Since Democrats decided yesterday that its OK to spy on Americans without Judicial branch oversight,"
---------------------------------
No, they didn''t. The NSA now has to get judicial oversight, in the form of a warrant in any wiretap. The new law DOES allow for them to immediately tap a phone and listen, so the opportunity doesn''t get away, but they must then go get the OK from that other branch of government. This prevents them from listening to political foes, without it being discovered.
Can they ignore the law and not get Court approval? Yes, but they could do that anyway, hopefully with consequences.

[oscarez]

"The White House has cited executive privilege"

Bush says, "The White House can do anything it wishes and there ain''t nothing you Democrats can do about it so just shut up all ready." The White House is above the law and George W Bush has been above the law his whole life!!!

[sidvicious46]

Sha... more peckkkkertracks.

[whiskyrocker]

This information is shocking.

[whiskyrocker]

This information is shocking.

[newsjunky5]

Rove has broken the law by ignoring a subpeona. Can I make a citizen''s arrest? Where is he now?

[libh8er]

He should have showed up, dropped his pants, smacked his arse whilst telling democrats where to place their lips, then left. That''s all the dem shamers deserve.

[cold777]

A little more than 100 days to go until Obama is elected.....that will be a great day.

[briannorwood]

Arrest him!

[cold777]

Rove has broken the law by ignoring a subpeona. Can I make a citizen''''s arrest? Where is he now?


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Posted by newsjunky5
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Probably doing one of his disturbing/disgusting dances, like he did that one time in front of the cameras.

[anecdote1]

He should have showed up, dropped his pants, smacked his arse whilst telling democrats where to place their lips, then left. That''''s all the dem shamers deserve.
Posted by LibH8er at 01:15 PM

Curious, is that how you like it?

[andor3]

"Two types of laws in this country....The laws for Bush''''s and Cheney''''s Oil friends (no law) and then there are laws for the rest of us..."

yes and do not be fooled into thinking that these "anti-terror" laws are aimed at foreign bad guys. If you protest or seem threatening to the elites, they can tap your phone, access all your personal info, have you thrown in jail and held indefinitely without charge... all they need to do is apply the "terrorist" label. It is very convenient now that the government is not regulating corporations, and the right to sue is being limited, so they can pretty much steal from the little people without fear...

[Michael Arnold]

This is why I started ignoring jury duty long ago. Screw ''em. They don''t obey the law, why should anyone else? Letting the Telecoms off for breaking the law only shows we have a long way to go.

[cold777]

He should have showed up, dropped his pants, smacked his arse whilst telling democrats where to place their lips, then left. That''''''''s all the dem shamers deserve.
Posted by LibH8er at 01:15 PM

Curious, is that how you like it?



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Posted by anecdote1
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LOL! anecdote1 you are just too funny!