Standoff Over Fired U.S. Attorneys Intensifies

Associated Press with Wall Street Journal ^ | July 8, 2007 | Staff

[yorkie]

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday he expects a former Bush aide to testify before Congress this week about the firings of federal prosecutors despite White House objections.

Sen. Patrick Leahy's committee has subpoenaed Sara Taylor, a former White House political director, as part of its investigation into whether the Bush administration improperly ordered the U.S. attorneys dismissed. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Ms. Taylor's lawyer said she is willing to talk but does not want to defy President Bush, who has rejected subpoenas for documents from Ms. Taylor and for her testimony. Lawyer W. Neil Eggleston said Ms. Taylor expects a letter from White House lawyer Fred Fielding directing her not to comply on the basis of executive privilege.

"In our view, it is unfair to Ms. Taylor that this constitutional struggle might be played out with her as the object of an unseemly tug of war," Mr. Eggleston wrote House and Senate Judiciary committee leaders and Mr. Fielding over the weekend.

He added, "Absent the direction from the White House, Ms. Taylor would testify without hesitation before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She has committed no wrongdoing."

Mr. Leahy noted that lawmakers recently learned Ms. Taylor was among several White House aides who used an email account at the Republican National Committee for political communications. Mr. Leahy said some emails relate to the investigation into the fired prosecutors. "There's certainly no executive privilege with something like that," Mr. Leahy said.

President Bush last month asserted executive privilege in rejecting subpoenas for documents from Ms. Taylor and his former counsel, Harriet Miers. Mr. Fielding argued that complying with such a request would damage the confidential nature of advice given the president. The White House also made clear -- citing the same rationale --

[CondorFlight]

There’s no way the White House can “improperly dismiss” US attorneys. They are executive appointments and serve at the President’s pleasure (and leave as this displeasure (period!).

As much as I am displeased personally with the current Dept. of Justice and its inaction on several fronts (including the clean-up of Durham, North Carolina, which appears to be exceeding Phenix City, Alabama, in corruption and control by vice elements), I have to stand with the administration on this one.

The Congress is—as usual—willing to dump Constitutional safeguards in favor of political grandstanding.

[freekitty]

To the committee of congress critters. “I want my money back that you are wasting on these stupid hearings”.

[geezerwheezer]

Once again, the stupidity of the dimwits strikes! Maybe the folks at the White House should send them a copy of the Constitution so they might understand how the President can hire and fire the Federal prosecutors. The dimwits can’t seem to get a handle on that for some (political) reason.