Thursday
Jul102008
Karl Rove ignores subpoena
Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 11:33AM
Four protesters were instructed to remove hats and shirts with political statements under the threat of arrest prior to a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove was subpoenaed to testify before the subcommittee and failed to appear. The women, from the anti-war group Code Pink, said being arrested for wearing a t-shirt violated their constitutional rights and asked what actions would be taken against Rove for failing to answer his subpoena. Committee staff and US Capitol Police told the women it is against committee rules to allow the display of political positions in the hearing room.
Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) expressed disappointment at Rove’s unwillingness to appear before the subcommittee to discuss allegations that he politicized the Department of Justice and to respond to questions concerning his role in the firing of US attorneys. Sanchez said Rove’s claim of executive immunity are unlawful and know no precedent in the Supreme Court. She stated that the White House has not requested immunity for Rove and that Rove’s attorney previously said Rove would appear before Congress if subpoenaed.
Ranking Member Chris Cannon (R-Utah) defended Rove, telling the committee that Rove is out of the country on an engagement that was planned before the subpoena. He told the committee that Rove has offered to conduct personal interviews with committee members and to answer written questions, berating Democrats for failing to accept Rove’s offers. Cannon said the subcommittee called the hearing due to allegations of Rove’s involvement in the conviction of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman on corruption charges and said no evidence exists that supports these allegations. Cannon criticized the committee, saying it is failing to address issues of major concern to Americans like oil prices.
Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) expressed disappointment at Rove’s unwillingness to appear before the subcommittee to discuss allegations that he politicized the Department of Justice and to respond to questions concerning his role in the firing of US attorneys. Sanchez said Rove’s claim of executive immunity are unlawful and know no precedent in the Supreme Court. She stated that the White House has not requested immunity for Rove and that Rove’s attorney previously said Rove would appear before Congress if subpoenaed.
Ranking Member Chris Cannon (R-Utah) defended Rove, telling the committee that Rove is out of the country on an engagement that was planned before the subpoena. He told the committee that Rove has offered to conduct personal interviews with committee members and to answer written questions, berating Democrats for failing to accept Rove’s offers. Cannon said the subcommittee called the hearing due to allegations of Rove’s involvement in the conviction of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman on corruption charges and said no evidence exists that supports these allegations. Cannon criticized the committee, saying it is failing to address issues of major concern to Americans like oil prices.
Reader Comments (11)
"Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
At least that was how it was before the days of 'Free Speech Zones' where protesters are penned into barbed wire pens away from public eyes and 'bros' could get 'Tazed' for speaking words of protest.
Mr. Rove has a much higher opinion of himself than
the average citizen who would be crucified if he/she
refused to show up for the house subcommitte
investigation of allegations he politicized the House
of Justice.
Oh, how sweet it is!!
Mr. Rove's failure to show is not that big a deal. Ms Sanchez sez he could be cited for contempt of congress (other news sources) - yet she doesn't comprehend congress deserves contempt, as they earned it. From thousands of taxpayers. For their failure to reduce pork barrel spending and failure to tackle the big issues.
Why would Rove or anyone else want to cooperate with that Democratic witch hunt up there?
No wonder congress has a single digit approval rating. Give it up, The executive branch has every right to fire US attorneys. Clinton did the same thing.
How thick headed you have to be to suggest that calling Karl Rove's ethics or lack thereof is a political witch hunt! If such an unsupported notion rang with any hint of truth, then Gonzo wouldn't have lost his job at the helm of the DOJ. AND Mukasey wouldn't have needed to reassure everyone that politicizing decisions within the DOJ have been cleaned up. Rove, Gonzalez, Mukasey AND Dubya have all ducked having their actions being brought to the light of day. Shame on them and all those who defend such behavior!
Time to tell the Sergeant At Arms to get his gun and sword and go get Rove. Congress has the power to arrest Rove, charge him with crimes, convict him, and put him in jail without presidential interference.
If there ever was a time when Congress needed to use its powers, its now.
Respectfully, I think you misunderstand the game.
The idea the Democrats have is not to jail Rove or impeach Bush.It's to generate headlines and keep them around as political targets in an election year..while ignoring pursuing the people's business, which is what these clowns are getting paid for.
Good point JoshuaPundit. But your statement unduly implies that Dems have cornered the market on utilizing political hot topics as a means to pursue gains within the court of public opinion. That, sir, IS the means of Dems, GOP's, corporations, non-profits, etc. etc. The real point is that Rove nor his supporters would not duck any kinds of hearings without anything to hide. Your point, though well taken, is still one of distraction.
The comments reveal the reason why there is no demand for liberal talk radio. The only descriptives liberals can muster against Bush and company (or any republican) are overused used and tiresome sound bites. The actual issues are never discussed which make for boring radio. I am really tired of hearing stupid people think that the argument is won because they can outshout someone.
Clinton fired all (that's 100%) of the US Attorneys. Bush fired only a few. They both were within their legal right to do so. The Democrats made it into a political issue. The Republicans did not. So the only issue left is Rove is depriving (rightfully so) the committee of their precious spot in the limelight. The truth hurts when it doesn't fit the belief.
Where in the World is Karl Rove?
See http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/where-in-the-world-is-karl-rove/