Rove refuses to testify on role in prosecutor firings
Be the first to get political news as it breaks. Get our breaking news feed.
White House senior adviser Karl Rove has rebuked a Senate Judiciary Committee subpoena and will not appear Thursday to testify about his role in the firing of nine US Attorneys, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said late Wednesday.
The Senate Judiciary chairman chided the White House for allowing Rove to give public speeches about the attorney firing scandal but not permit his testimony under oath.
"Mr. Rove has given reasons for the firings that have now been shown to be inaccurate after-the-fact fabrications," Leahy said in a statement. "Yet, he now refuses to tell this Committee the truth about his role in targeting well-respected U.S. Attorneys for firing and in seeking to cover up his role and that of his staff in the scandal."
The House Judiciary Committee initiated criminal contempt of Congress charges against former White House counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff Joshua Bolton last month after they refused to comply with subpoenas demanding their testimony.
It remains unclear whether Rove will face similar charges. A Judiciary Committee spokeswoman told RAW STORY Wednesday night that if Rove followed through in refusing to testify, the committee could decide to issue criminal charges later. The aide said no decisions had been made yet.
“It is a shame that this White House continues to act as if it is above the law. That is wrong," Leahy said. "The subpoenas authorized by this Committee in connection with its investigation into the mass firings of U.S. Attorneys and the corrosion of federal law enforcement by White House political influence deserve respect and compliance."
Scott Jennings, the White House deputy director of political affairs, is expected to appear before the committee Thursday, but his testimony will be limited by Bush's claim of executive privilege.
A letter to the Judiciary Committee from White House counsel Fred F. Fielding claimed Rove "is immune from compelled congressional testimony about matters that arose during his tenure (as an immediate presidential adviser) and that relate to his official duties in that capacity."
|
