1 Boring Old Man

White House Subpoenas
by Congressman John Conyers

I wanted to share with all of you the reasoning behind a significant step I have taken in the investigation of the mass firings of federal prosecutors and the politicization occurring within the Department of Justice.

Today, I issued subpoenas to former White House Counsel Harriett Miers to compel her to testify before the House Judiciary Com

I consider these subpoenas to be essential because the evidence our investigation has uncovered points to the pivotal role the White House played in the U.S. Attorney firings.  We have only sought to compel cooperation through subpoenas after more than three months of stonewalling by the White House.  

I had hoped that the White House would be more forthcoming in assisting our investigation. Unfortunately, this subpoena provided the only legal means for the American people, through their elected representatives, to find out how their government functions.  

This subpoena represents a very serious step by Congress not to be taken lightly. Defiance or failure to comply would run counter to the checks and balances that are the foundation of our constitution and democratic government.

Here is what we have learned in our investigation so far: [a clear summary of the mounting evidence follows]

Given what we have learned, clear answers from the White House are needed to shed light on its role in this process. These steps today will hopefully bring us closer to those answers.

As for this comment, "Defiance or failure to comply would run counter to the checks and balances that are the foundation of our constitution and democratic government." It’s good to hear him say that. The Administration’s offer to have closed, no-oath, no-transcript "testimony" is completely absurd. Even more absurd is "it’s that or we’ll evoke executive privilege." What could be more typical of the Bush Administration than that? They don’t even bother to offer some rationale for such a ludicrous offer, they only deal in power. "I can, so I will" with no acknowlegement of the reasons for the powers they broker. They perceive themselves as regaining the Presidential Powers given away after Nixon abused those powers. What they are doing is creating a situation where those powers will be curtailed for all time because of the Bush/Cheney attempt at creating a monarchy.