Congress, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Rove Again Refuses to Testify Under Subpoena

In what is now an almost mocking level of contempt, Karl Rove has refused to appear before Congress despite a subpoena to do so. While claiming executive privilege, there is no justification for the failure to appear and to answer any questions on the firing of U.S. attorneys. The question is what will the Democratic Congress do beyond expressions of outrage. It is a question that I will discuss on the Dan Abrams show tonight.

Rove is claiming immunity despite the fact that there are obvious many questions that could not possibly be covered by executive privilege. He was first subpoenaed in May. Committee Chair John Conyers and Subcommittee Chairperson Linda Sanchez have already rejected the claim and threatened prosecution. However, Attorney General Mukasey has blocked giving the case to the grand jury. That leaves Congress’ inherent contempt authority, discussed here.

Congress stopped holding contempt trials after the Justice Department insisted that it would be represent the institution in court. With the open effort to protect officials by Mukasey, Congress now must choose between using its inherent authority or to accept open contempt of its authority.

For today’s story, click here.

127 thoughts on “Rove Again Refuses to Testify Under Subpoena”

  1. emptywheel,

    Thank you for your information yesterday. I believe it is quite important. Would you post the link again. This entire thread has become so long it is hard to find your original post.

    Thank you,

    Jill

  2. Bob Esq

    That’s why my point above is so important. This is not a claim of executive privilege. It is a claim of absolute immunity from forced testimony before Congress.

  3. Patty C:

    I read your exchange with our newest human spam, Bartlebee. Were I you I would treat him like russ, niblet, or my new favorite, martha h, and just ignore him because he has little constructive to say and he is anything but edifying.

    whooliebacon:

    I think Rove made it to Argentina. I wonder if that house on Garibaldi Street is still renting. Don’t all fascists make it there one time or another?

  4. We are all assuming that Rove actually left the country when the Republican Congressman made that remark. I wouldn’t be surprised if is staying in the Lincon Bedroom and planning on using the White House as his Sanctuary from the House Sargeant at Arms. That would make for an interesting constitutional problem. The Secret Service pitted against Congress’ Inherent Contempt power.

  5. Rove defies subpoena to testify on DOJ Siegelman prosecution

    “the valid need for protection of communications between high Government officials and those who advise and assist them in the performance of their manifold duties.” …. “[h]uman experience teaches that those who expect public dissemination of their remarks may well temper candor with a concern for appearances and for their own interests to the detriment of the decision making process.”

    So, the nexus between Bush and the DOJ Siegelman prosecution is what?

  6. I and my team work with medical professionals, saving lives, all day
    -can you say the same?

  7. Mr. Rove is simply not worth the effort to post. Probably visiting Bush’s compound in Paraquay.

  8. Patty C
    1, July 11, 2008 at 1:14 am

    Professionally, so do I!

    We’re all certainly glad to hear you’re seeing a professional.

  10. Patty C
    1, July 11, 2008 at 1:04 am
    And I would like you to leave! I’ve had enough of your non
    -sense

    ——

    Sounds rough.

    😐

    Don’t worry though.

    They can do wonders with pharmacutical therapy these days.

  12. rafflaw
    1, July 11, 2008 at 12:38 am

    I wonder if we can get his name added to the Do Not Fly list?

    One would hope boarding an airplane with a file cabinet and a paper shredder might accomplish that.

  14. rafflaw
    1, July 11, 2008 at 12:38 am
    I for one am hoping that John Conyers pulls the plug on Rove and initiates the Inherent Contempt proceedings ASAP.
    ———–

    Well to do that Conyers would have to grow a central nervous system ASAP, and I don’t see that happening.

    I like you however, hope he does too.

  15. What ever happened with the ‘heads up’ that Rove and a few notable others, namely, Addington and Yoo etc, would be ill-advised to venture outside the US for fear of reprisals – internationally?

    Huh?

  16. Not Upset Patty C
    1, July 11, 2008 at 12:32 am
    I think you are the one who is ‘Upset”, Bartlebee

    I’d characterize myself, in this instance, as simply ‘Annoyed’…

    Enough with you, already!
    ————-

    Hmmm, you say you’re not upset…. and…. you’re really smart….

    Yet here you are, yelling at other bloggers.

    😐

    Hmmmmmm

  17. I for one am hoping that John Conyers pulls the plug on Rove and initiates the Inherent Contempt proceedings ASAP. Of course, that is if Rove ever comes back into the country. I wonder if we can get his name added to the Do Not Fly list?

  18. I think you are the one who is ‘Upset”, Bartlebee

    I’d characterize myself, in this instance, as simply ‘Annoyed’… 😉

    Enough with you, already!

  19. Russ,
    You have the gall to clamor that Congress should be spending its time more wisely working on and energy policy??? Your beloved leader and his co-leader have an energy policy that was made in secret that is working just perfectly, don’t you think? By the way, you don’t happen to have Rove stashed at your place, do you??

  20. Back to russ’s claim that “Rove is acting under the advice of attorneys far more versed in law than Mr. Turley”.

    His attorney today referred to his abruptly leaving the country, without notifying congress, a “vacation”.

    A “regular” attorney, less “versed in the law” than Mr Rove’s attorney, might refer to it as a, “flight to evade”.

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