by Frank James
If Karl Rove thought congressional Democrats were going to let bygones be bygones, just because one of their own now occupies the White House, he was mistaken.
Rep. John Conyers, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, has subpoenaed Rove, former President Bush's political strategist and a one-time top White House aide, to ask him about his alleged role in politicizing the Justice Department, including the prosecution and conviction of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman.
Rove doesn't have a lot of time to make up his mind. Conyers wants him on Capitol Hill on Monday.
Here's Conyers' press release, issued Monday:
(Washington, D.C.) -- Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. issued a subpoena to Karl Rove requiring him to testify regarding his role in the Bush Administration's politicization of the Department of Justice, including the US Attorney firings and the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. The subpoena was issued pursuant to authority granted in H.R. 5 (111th Congress), and calls for Mr. Rove to appear at deposition on Monday, February 2, 2009. Mr. Rove has previously refused to appear in response to a Judiciary Committee subpoena, claiming that even former presidential advisers cannot be compelled to testify before Congress. That "absolute immunity" position was supported by then-President Bush, but it has been rejected by U.S. District Judge John Bates and President Obama has previously dismissed the claim as "completely misguided."
"I have said many times that I will carry this investigation forward to its conclusion, whether in Congress or in court, and today's action is an important step along the way," said Mr. Conyers. Noting that the change in administration may impact the legal arguments available to Mr. Rove in this long-running dispute, Mr. Conyers added "Change has come to Washington, and I hope Karl Rove is ready for it. After two years of stonewalling, it's time for him to talk."
As is pointed out by the Wall Street Journal, the subpoena presents President Barack Obama with an interesting dilemma.
The Obama Administration certainly wants to show there's a new sheriff in town, that the Bush era is over. And nothing would show that more than having Rove dragged before Congress for the equivalent of a public flogging.
But if the Obama Administration allows that, then one day it may find that precedent being used against it or another Democratic administration by Republicans eager to get even.
President Obama previously criticized the Bush executive-privilege claims. But presidents have a history of guarding the principle of executive privilege, even when it is claimed by a predecessor of a different political stripe. President Bush angered Republicans early in his term by using privilege to block several congressional inquiries into decisions by the administration of President Bill Clinton.
Robert Luskin, Mr. Rove's attorney, said Mr. Rove recently received a renewed privilege assertion from President Bush, before the president left office. Mr. Luskin said he would consult with Mr. Obama's White House counsel to determine the Obama administration's stance.
There is some dispute in legal circles over whether a president's executive privilege claim continues to be in force after he leaves office if his successor doesn't enforce it.
"At the end of the day Rove will do what he is told," Mr. Luskin said.
Rove could always appear before Congress and claim executive privilege for any questions he didn't want to answer. Or he could invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination to avoid answering questions.
Either way, many Democrats would get what they want dearly: the chance to cause Rove great discomfort under the spotlights and before TV cameras in a packed congressional hearing room.
Rove was subpoenaed in August 2007 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. In May 2008, the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed him as well.
If Rove fails to appear, which doesn't appear likely based on what Luskin said, he could be charged with contempt of Congress. But the Justice Department would have to prosecute him and, of course, the Bush Justice Department wasn't about to do that.
That's the question facing the Obama Justice Department. Do they prosecute Rove for contempt of Congress if he fails to appear and Congress throws the book at him?
Comments
Defintely think Conyers is using Rowe to get theHEAT off of himself.
Posted by: Inky | January 27, 2009 9:52 AM
Obama won't go down this road with Conyers...with all the cook county crooks he has working for him---this could come back and bite him real hard.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 27, 2009 10:36 AM
Throw the book at him! That's the change I voted for.~.~
Posted by: Mimi Schaeffer | January 27, 2009 11:02 AM
Throw the book at him! That's the change I voted for.~.~
Posted by: Mimi Schaeffer | January 27, 2009 11:03 AM
Let's start the ball rolling !! The Bush-McCain Republicans must now face the music. They have witlessly conspired to sink our ship of state and for that, there must be persons, going to jail. Those who are responsible for committing crimes, must be punished. Wall Street would be the perfect place to start, but I don't mind if he takes a detour and searches the previous two administrations for corruption and malfeasance. I believe he will find a gang of Republicans operatives, violating laws, in the performance of their fanatical agenda !! Ferret out the vermin !! They belong in jail for the things, they allowed to happen to America, in the last 8 years !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 27, 2009 11:04 AM
Let's start the ball rolling !! The Bush-McCain Republicans must now face the music. They have witlessly conspired to sink our ship of state and for that, there must be persons, going to jail. Those who are responsible for committing crimes, must be punished. Wall Street would be the perfect place to start, but I don't mind if he takes a detour and searches the previous two administrations for corruption and malfeasance. I believe he will find a gang of Republicans operatives, violating laws, in the performance of their fanatical agenda !! Ferret out the vermin !! They belong in jail for the things, they allowed to happen to America, in the last 8 years !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 27, 2009 11:05 AM
Let's start the ball rolling !! The Bush-McCain Republicans must now face the music. They have witlessly conspired to sink our ship of state and for that, there must be persons, going to jail. Those who are responsible for committing crimes, must be punished. Wall Street would be the perfect place to start, but I don't mind if he takes a detour and searches the previous two administrations for corruption and malfeasance. I believe he will find a gang of Republicans operatives, violating laws, in the performance of their fanatical agenda !! Ferret out the vermin !! They belong in jail for the things, they allowed to happen to America, in the last 8 years !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 27, 2009 11:07 AM
Let's start the ball rolling !! The Bush-McCain Republicans must now face the music. They have witlessly conspired to sink our ship of state and for that, there must be persons, going to jail. Those who are responsible for committing crimes, must be punished. Wall Street would be the perfect place to start, but I don't mind if he takes a detour and searches the previous two administrations for corruption and malfeasance. I believe he will find a gang of Republicans operatives, violating laws, in the performance of their fanatical agenda !! Ferret out the vermin !! They belong in jail for the things, they allowed to happen to America, in the last 8 years !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 27, 2009 11:10 AM
Let's start the ball rolling !! The Bush-McCain Republicans must now face the music. They have witlessly conspired to sink our ship of state and for that, there must be persons, going to jail. Those who are responsible for committing crimes, must be punished. Wall Street would be the perfect place to start, but I don't mind if he takes a detour and searches the previous two administrations for corruption and malfeasance. I believe he will find a gang of Republicans operatives, violating laws, in the performance of their fanatical agenda !! Ferret out the vermin !! They belong in jail for the things, they allowed to happen to America, in the last 8 years !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 27, 2009 11:14 AM
Sorry for the repetitive entries, I thought my posts were not getting through.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 27, 2009 11:45 AM
Don't lawmakers have more important things to work on? Perhaps the economy? National security? This is an unnecessary distraction -- and seems at best - childish.
Posted by: Cyndy | January 27, 2009 12:53 PM
not childish--I'm with Don.
And Don.
And Don.
And Don.
And Don.
Posted by: happens to the best of us when we think about ROVE | January 27, 2009 3:22 PM
So, Don -- do you think maybe we should start the ball rolling? :)
Posted by: Op109 | January 27, 2009 4:37 PM
Might as well subpoena Rove. He'll ignore this one like he's ignored the others, but hey -- WHY NOT?? Worst case, he can re-do the wallpaper in his study.
Posted by: Op109 | January 27, 2009 4:40 PM
"With all the Cook county crooks he has working for him---this could come back and bite him real hard."-- What is that supposed to mean Pauol? Are you regurgitating Rush and Hannity? Or do you have a mind of your own and have done some research? What is your evidence such a libelous statement? I talking about evidence, not hearsay from right wing whackos.
Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2009 3:26 PM
Conyers is heading this up??? Isn't his wife under federal investigation for political corruption as the president of the Detroit city council?? And whatever happened to the investigation on Charlie Rangell for not paying taxes on his tropical getaway, as well as Nancy Pelosi using political contributions to pay her husband? I think Karl Rove may be a way to distract Americans from all of the corruption, tax evasion, and other investigations pending against democrats across the nation.
Posted by: Gary | January 31, 2009 3:12 AM