Wednesday
Jan202010
White House Party Crashers Dodge Congress's Questions, Plead Fifth Amendment
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 2:48PM
By Laurel Brishel Prichard- University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service
During an appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the socialite D.C. couple that crashed the White House state dinner in November, chose to invoke their fifth amendment right repeatedly throughout the hearing and answered only a handful of questions directly.
Many committee members had harsh words regarding the Salahis’ conduct during the hearing.
“I don’t respect your right to take the fifth amendment, not at all,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ). “Are you here today Mr. Salahi? Are you here right now? You have to ask your attorney on that?”
At one point, it was proposed by chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) that the Salahis' antics at the White House was a publicity stunt. Tareq Salahi responded, “I am under a non-disclosure agreement and should not discuss matters related to the television matter.”
The committee has been in contact with the television stations in question. All the stations said they will voluntarily turn over any footage of the incident.
In addition, a number of committee members stated their desire to question White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers about the event, primarily the changes in standard practices that could have allowed the Salahis’ to gain entrance to the executive mansion.
“Ms. Rogers should come and tell the third side of the story,” said Rep. Chirs Carney (D-Pa.).
In a prepared statement addressed to the committee, Tareq said, “We have continued to provide relevant documentary evidence and be as helpful as we can to the important security concerns you are investigating.”
During an appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the socialite D.C. couple that crashed the White House state dinner in November, chose to invoke their fifth amendment right repeatedly throughout the hearing and answered only a handful of questions directly.
Many committee members had harsh words regarding the Salahis’ conduct during the hearing.
“I don’t respect your right to take the fifth amendment, not at all,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ). “Are you here today Mr. Salahi? Are you here right now? You have to ask your attorney on that?”
At one point, it was proposed by chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) that the Salahis' antics at the White House was a publicity stunt. Tareq Salahi responded, “I am under a non-disclosure agreement and should not discuss matters related to the television matter.”
The committee has been in contact with the television stations in question. All the stations said they will voluntarily turn over any footage of the incident.
In addition, a number of committee members stated their desire to question White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers about the event, primarily the changes in standard practices that could have allowed the Salahis’ to gain entrance to the executive mansion.
“Ms. Rogers should come and tell the third side of the story,” said Rep. Chirs Carney (D-Pa.).
In a prepared statement addressed to the committee, Tareq said, “We have continued to provide relevant documentary evidence and be as helpful as we can to the important security concerns you are investigating.”
Reader Comments (1)
Maybe a little time in jail might make them sing! Who do they think they are ?????