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http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/6/28/110813.shtml?s=ic
Bush 'Executive Privilege' Blocks Subpoenas
President George W. Bush on Thursday asserted executive privilege over
documents sought by the Democratic-led Congress on the firings of federal
prosecutors, likely setting up a court battle.
"The president has decided to assert executive privilege and therefore the
White House will not be making any production in response to these subpoenas
for documents," wrote Bush counsel Fred Fielding.
The White House letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. John Conyers, the
Democratic chairmen of the congressional judiciary committees, was in
response to subpoenas it received this month requesting documents related to
the firings of several U.S. attorneys last year.
Democrats who took control of Congress this year say the firings were
politically motivated and have sought White House testimony and documents in
a controversy that has led to bipartisan calls for Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales to step down. Bush has steadfastly backed Gonzales.
The showdown could result in a lengthy court fight.
"Increasingly, the president and vice president feel they are above the
law - in America no one is above law," Leahy said in a statement.
"This White House cannot have it both ways. They cannot stonewall
congressional investigations by refusing to provide documents and witnesses,
while claiming nothing improper occurred," he said.
Fielding said the White House had also instructed Sara Taylor, former White
House director of political affairs, and Harriet Miers, former counsel to
Bush, to not produce any documents requested in subpoenas that were issued
to them.
"We had hoped this matter could conclude with your committees receiving
information in lieu of having to invoke executive privilege. Instead, we are
at this conclusion," Fielding said.
The assertion of executive privilege to the congressional subpoenas for
material related to the probe on the firings of the prosecutors comes one
day after Leahy's committee subpoenaed the White House for documents related
to the administration's warrantless domestic spying program.
Bush 'Executive Privilege' Blocks Subpoenas
President George W. Bush on Thursday asserted executive privilege over
documents sought by the Democratic-led Congress on the firings of federal
prosecutors, likely setting up a court battle.
"The president has decided to assert executive privilege and therefore the
White House will not be making any production in response to these subpoenas
for documents," wrote Bush counsel Fred Fielding.
The White House letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. John Conyers, the
Democratic chairmen of the congressional judiciary committees, was in
response to subpoenas it received this month requesting documents related to
the firings of several U.S. attorneys last year.
Democrats who took control of Congress this year say the firings were
politically motivated and have sought White House testimony and documents in
a controversy that has led to bipartisan calls for Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales to step down. Bush has steadfastly backed Gonzales.
The showdown could result in a lengthy court fight.
"Increasingly, the president and vice president feel they are above the
law - in America no one is above law," Leahy said in a statement.
"This White House cannot have it both ways. They cannot stonewall
congressional investigations by refusing to provide documents and witnesses,
while claiming nothing improper occurred," he said.
Fielding said the White House had also instructed Sara Taylor, former White
House director of political affairs, and Harriet Miers, former counsel to
Bush, to not produce any documents requested in subpoenas that were issued
to them.
"We had hoped this matter could conclude with your committees receiving
information in lieu of having to invoke executive privilege. Instead, we are
at this conclusion," Fielding said.
The assertion of executive privilege to the congressional subpoenas for
material related to the probe on the firings of the prosecutors comes one
day after Leahy's committee subpoenaed the White House for documents related
to the administration's warrantless domestic spying program.
