White House, Cheney’s Office, Subpoenaed
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney’s office Wednesday for documents relating to President Bush’s warrantless eavesdropping program.
Also named in subpoenas signed by committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D- Vt., were the Justice Department and the National Security Council. The four parties have until July 18 to comply, according to a statement by Leahy’s office.
The committee wants documents that might shed light on internal disputes within the administration over the legality of the program.
“Our attempts to obtain information through testimony of administration witnesses have been met with a consistent pattern of evasion and misdirection,” Leahy said in his cover letters for the subpoenas. “There is no legitimate argument for withholding the requested materials from this committee.”
Echoing its response to previous congressional subpoenas to former administration officials Harriet Miers and Sara Taylor, the White House gave no indication that it would comply.
“We’re aware of the committee’s action and will respond appropriately,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. “It’s unfortunate that congressional Democrats continue to choose the route of confrontation.”
The showdown between the White House and Congress could land in federal court.
Leahy’s committee and its counterpart in the House have issued the subpoenas as part of a sweeping look at how much influence the White House exerts over the Justice Department and its chief, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
The probe, in its sixth month, began with an investigation into whether administration officials ordered the firings of eight federal prosecutors, for political reasons. The House and Senate Judiciary committees previously had subpoenaed Miers, one-time legal counsel, and Taylor, a former political director, in that probe.
But with senators of both parties already concerned about the constitutionality of the administration’s efforts to root out terrorism suspects in the United States, the committee shifted to the broader question of Gonzales’ stewardship of Justice and, in particular, his willingness to permit the wiretapping program.
Piquing the committee’s interest was vivid testimony last month by former Deputy Attorney General James Comey about the extent of the White House’s effort to override the Justice Department’s objections to the program in 2004.
Comey told the Judiciary Committee that Gonzales, then-White House counsel, tried to get Attorney General John Ashcroft to reverse course and recertify the program. At the time, Ashcroft lay in intensive care, recovering form gall bladder surgery.
Ashcroft refused, as did Comey, to whom Ashcroft had temporarily shifted the power of his office during his illness.
The White House recertified the program unilaterally. Ashcroft, Comey, FBI Director Robert Mueller and their staffs prepared to resign. Bush ultimately relented and made changes to the classified program that the Justice officials had demanded, and the agency eventually recertified it.
The fight was one of the most bitter disputes of the Bush presidency and questions remain over whether the program tramples people’s civil rights. The administration says the program is crucial to preventing more terrorist attacks.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press
“…met with a consistent pattern of evasion and misdirection,” Leahy said
out comes the subpoena(s)., will it illicit an exodus with testimonies from staffers in the know? Careerists might have to hedge their bets.
Domino effect still valid?
Gonzales, Cheney, Bush?
elicit, illicit…. oops.
Constitutional? With this 5-4 Supreme Court? Ha!
One hopes, one hopes to see this administration’s house of cards crash. It has so compromised the Republic and tainted the Republican party - will future members of the party run as reformists? What a wonderful indictment of the “good old boys” this is!!!
It looks like we’re finally headed for a crash - only wish it can take place before the next election. One can be sure the electorate will be on double duty this time around to make sure the ballots are counted correctly. No more stolen elections, no more despots in the white house. It really matters who becomes the next president. Personally, I’m voting for integrity next time around, and not for a “winner” like Kerry who went stalking off in the middle of the night leaving us all stranded. Don’t tell me Dennis Kucinich can not be elected - that’s only if you don’t vote for him.
Saying it loud and clear - I’M VOTING FOR DENNIS KUCINICH!!!!!
We, the people, have been expecting and waiting for this since a dog’s age.
A great sence of humor there rob price. Hey, isn’t oops spelled Oops? I don’t know, my speling is terribul.
The domino effect is viable, all Nancy Pelosi has to do is nudge the first one. Think she will too, when all of the ducks are lined up. She’s really a great lady and not wimpy at all as some may believe. She has her proven track record and methods, and she does not leak her plans. Never underestimate the power of a woman, especially one who is in power.
I remember well the “executive privilege” challenge Nixon made in the face of similar subpeonas and the speculation on how the Supreme Court would rule as many felt the court to be on Nixon’s side. We should recall the current court has already called Bush a criminal felon for his illegal wiretapping, and has ruled strongly against his attempt at denying due process to war captives; so, in the current case, I would not rush to judgement. Lies and stonewalling killed the Nixon administration; the same is likely to happen with Bush/Cheney. The latest poll shows support for Bush at 24%, same as Nixon just before he resigned; and as the confrontation escalates, the poll numbers will drop further. Such deep and longstanding disapproval will be a consideration effecting the Justices’ actions as are the other known violations of the Constitution by Bush/Cheney.
Hey there, Evelyn Smith!
Pelosi is in, and Delay and the Duke are out. Lott was knocked off his soapbox, and Frist left to hide in the corner– keeping the family’s HMO business safe? Hopefully, most of the bullies lost their leader when Delay was resigned.
August is always a good month for ripe fruit. Hope to see a good harvest in the first fifteen days.
…And I’m w/ Karlof1. When people were talking about impeaching Nixon, the census was effectively, “yeah right. There’s no political support in Congress.” Then Spiro went….
In answer to ontheres, I’m from Ohio and we THOUGHT we were “on double duty” to make sure the election wasn’t stolen. Don’t be so sure it won’t happen again.
Can they still have executive priledge if they claim they are not longer “Executive” in other areas?
“It’s unfortunate that congressional Democrats continue to choose the route of confrontation.”
It’s got to be hard out there for stand-up comedians these days. How can they compete with these White House spokespeople? Fratto, Snow, and the rest of them are just knee-slappingly hilarious!
ebroadwe, you are right!!! And this method of voting with no paper trail has to BE STOPPED! The winner of ANY election could be determined by the ones who have the best computer hackers on call.
Paper ballots with one from each party sitting there checking is viable, it works, and it does not cost spit. They are all concerned volunteers and there has never, ever, been a problem finding intelligent volunters. This bullshit of electronic balloting is just another example, of people in power making money at the expense of our freedoms.
Subpoenas mean nothing unless they produce. With the Justice Department fully stacked against the people, I doubt much will come of this other than a few bland headlines and a note-in-passing on what people seem to think is TV news. The optimism many are expressing is unwarranted. Cheney knows.
libertas fugit June 27th, 2007 3:27 pm
“Constitutional? With this 5-4 Supreme Court? Ha!”
Bingo!
i believe what i see.
i remain suspicious of democrats’ ability to generate political theater, full of sound & fury, but mostly BS.
most americans already feel that if it can be shown the prez/v.p. lied us into the iraq war, they should be impeached. this is the most serious issue, by far, bad as the wiretapping, DOJ stuff, etc., etc., etc., is.
all you C-Ders know that it positively can be shown we were lied into this war, so i think this other stuff is actually a way of distracting the citizenry from the most serious issue of all: the war.
that doesn’t mean nothing will come of it, but will it be a repeat of nixon? wherein watergate, bad & important as it was, turned out to be a distraction from the issue of war?
I rest firmly in the conviction that their ship IS sinking. rats jumping left and right, people with integrity standing down… Now I’m just praying that king george and emperor cheney will take a ‘lil hunting trip (haves a shots of muh vermouff, geo, they kent sees us!) and save us the effort of impeachment. even in prison its still taxpayes money supporting their thievery, deceits and MURDER.
so go hunting, guys. and have another drink, dick- I mean what the hell, its on the taxpayers, right?
Elisabeth I once opined: “be careful what you wish for since you might end up getting your wish”….
If the knife gets to close to Bu$h and Cheney’s collective throats, they might put in place their FALSE FLAG casus belli and send America over a cliff…..
Jus cos the little toys are being taken away from little Caligula and Snarly….
Actually I wouldn’t be surprised if Pelosi ruins all of this. She may have a previous track record of being tough but her current track record spells wimp. Sorry, she did it.. I didn’t. If this subpoenae does what it is intended to do, looks like some of our prayers have been answered. Once again we will have to see who bails out when the going gets tough.
Sang Ze’s comment “Subpoenas mean nothing unless they produce. With the Justice Department fully stacked against the people, I doubt much will come of this other than a few bland headlines and a note-in-passing on what people seem to think is TV news. The optimism many are expressing is unwarranted. Cheney knows.” is right on. Cheney will move only when forced by Bush (only if and when there is more of a public outcry) or by Congress’ taking away the money appropriated for Executive Branch activities. I hope Congress develops some backbone.
Subpoenas, hell! Send in the Goddamn Marines! Or, better yet, send the Million American March to Capitol Hill! You haven’t gotten loud enough for THEM to hear!
“It’s unfortunate that congressional Democrats continue to choose the route of confrontation.”
I agree that this is something only Monty Python would have said, but I wish a reporter would have asked how else the committee was to get the information they needed to perform their oversight function given the vp’s previous performances.
How in the world is asking people who spend tax dollars appropriated by congress to testify ‘confrontation’?
Regular people are dragged into court and forced to testify everyday about less important issues and much smaller amounts of money.
The sad thing is that congress will not refuse to fund any office that fails to respond promptly to their subpoenas. I sure would love it if congress routinely held that position on all departments regardless of political issues.
I know it is a crazy dream, but my money is not handed over to people who refuse to explain what they are doing with it.
Let’s hope the Dems go all they way. However, it they do, it will go to the Supreme Court. Based on recent decisions, there is a good chance it will uphold Bush/Cheney.
Then, what? (Not rhetorical.)
The wiretapping is just one of the many violations of the law and the Constitution, along with other acts that are more high crimes and misdemeanors than lying about one’s sex life.
Are we headed for “Seven Days in May”?
HI U.S, Citizen, We could be. Several weeks ago, we read where seven top generals and or admirals stated, they would resign in protest, if Bush started a war with Iran. I do not remember their names. It was only briefly covered by the news media.___ Of course.
I percieve there is a great deal of serious unrest among many of the top mlitary brass and unlike Bush, they care about America, the constitution and the people of their country.
Seven Days In May? Probably not, but it would not surprise me.
A newbie to posting here but thanks to all who take their time to respond to articles….and to each other. I thought an earlier suggestion (to mail Pelosi, et al, old tennis balls) was a great idea….and another I heard today was to send them all a USPS change of address form…hell, the form is free at the post office and surely worth the price of a few stamps for your favorite “representatives.”
This is a can’t lose proposition. If they respond more subpoenas can follow, if they do not they will just look more and more like the totalitarian dictators they are to even the dumbest red state neoconned Republican.
I have the feeling something very bad is going to happen and very soon……….
When the facts are revealed, the bulk of the surveillance has most likely been on domestic political opposition, including obstacles in the way of the Junta’s business interests.
The politicians who believe that ‘terrorist control’ or ‘national security’ is the primary objective of the Junta’s spying are fools. There is no justification at all for the secrecy, except to cover the Junta’s voluminous criminal activities motivated by Lust for Money and Power…. their true State Religion.
Nothing but blah blah blah from the DEMs, until I see some action, then I’ll jump back on the DEMwagon, but I’m off until then. Troops out now. This better be some big catch them all under one big net move, with some key GOP senators in line; and no nickel and diming, then do nothing. If no action before 1/1/8, it’s all the same, talk talk talk blah blah blah. Just another cynical DEM on the West Coast.
karlof1: Nixon resigned. Do you think Bush would? He will take this sinking ship down with him, all the way. It won’t surprise any of us, will it, if he causes more horrible problems, that lead to such chaos, that he somehow extends his vicegrip of a false presidency beyond his term.
Evelyn: You say: She’s really a great lady and not wimpy at all as some may believe. So Nancy Pelosi was lying, er, being disingenuous when she said impeachment was off the table? It goes back on the table when the July 18 deadline for responding to the subpoena expires, with no documents produced? How much you wanna bet? I say she’s wimpy and nothing will come of this subpoena flap. And if they go through the motions and it winds up in the hands of Diana Ross and the Supremes, they’ll protect the POTUS and that will be the end of it, as U.S. Citizen predicts. But I certainly hope you’re right about Nancy Pelosi. It just seems too good to be true so I can’t get my hopes up. Like Joe Toxic proclaims, this is probably just the usual blah blah blah.
It is time for a little perspective here. First, it is true that subpoenas mean very little. Second, Cheney is way ahead of the game. He has declared himself not part of the Executive Branch, translation “I have destroyed any and all evidence that might lead to the smoking gun.” Third, the Democrats are too spineless to do anything. So, I agree with some of the other partipants who have posted the message: nothing will happen because these guys have changed the rules ensuring that nothing happens. That is how the game is played and Bush, Cheney & Co. have it down to a science.
Ron, I do agree with much of your opinions which you have expressed here. I hope I’m also correct about our Speaker Of The House; she is a very strong willed person, highly intelligent and knows the DC ropes, which are not easy for anyone to tie or skip to. I’ve always respected and admired her. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.
This is a possible scenerio, Cheney is about due for an overhaul on his pacemaker. (Why a person with no heart needs one is a mystery to me). Seriously, he is due for a tune-up. I can see where his doctors may advise him to resign, because of the stress of his elevated position. In that event, a war with Iran may be off the table and Bush would not do much until he also steps down at the end of his incredible reign. Who really knows?
I just learned from reading blogs, that the Supreme Court is the final deciding factor, if either were impeached. Really? Why?
Hey Ron, would you do me a favor? Don’t use words where I have to use the dictionary, most of us are not as smart as you are.
disingenuous? Appreciate your cordial blog, good to see you are up and around. Have fun, life is too short not to.
Also keep in mind that with the exception of Scooter Libby, these guys are pros at playing the amnesia game.
Go get em, Leahy… One step at a time.
A hanging noose is waiting for each of them on my backyard tree.
MetalDog June 27th, 2007 4:26 pm
“It’s unfortunate that congressional Democrats continue to choose the route of confrontation.”
I agree MetalDog, how they twist the truth. The Senate judiciary Committee as the legal right to subpoena who every they wish to get to the truth of the matter.
It is they at the Whitehouse who will try and resist the subpoenas who are creating the confrontation.
Are we nation of men or of laws?
Or is that just another Orwellian deception for the consumption of the masses.
On this matter we shall see, soon.
The problem is not the Administration in as much as it is the DoJ. This administration has scraped the bottom of the barrel in finding like minded monkeys dancing to their music. Alberto (I-W-M-A) Gonzales should have acted on the Committee’s request to compel Cheney to turn over the stats on classified and secret documents as soon as it arrived in his office; not let it become news 5-6 months later. We can attest to the fact that this DoJ has run amok in the area of Civil Rights. We had a complaint filed with the Office and they kept telling us they could not find it in their computers etc. They had us send it by mail twice, fax it, and email it. This foot dragging which took almost nine months was well coordinated from the highest levels. Because this complaint had far reaching consequences, it was dragged out beyond the second Bush election; to make sure the fraud was firmly in place…….and then they suddenly started working on the complaint and came up with a fraudulent, fake response. The DoJ could have done the right thing in the Cheney matter, but I’m afraid the DoJ is beyond hope or repair for atleast 5-6 years. It will take that long for this among other Federal Departments to regain respect from the public and its overall integrity.
Cordially,
S. Ray DeRusse
www.bccmeteorites.com
What if everyone here is correct? I think that is the case, in practical terms. The various ’scenarios’ may vary, however, the greater truth found in everyone’s words is true, and it indicates that, one way or another, the American citizens voices are not adequately empowered. We say what we may, but the current situation in Washington, and especially with regard to Bush and Cheney, is a situation in which the desires of the majority of Americans go unfulfilled. Everyone posting here knows this. That’s why we are posting here. And, it seems clear, most agree that the current direction we are heading in -as a nation AND as a people - is beyond dangerous. The various ’scenarios’ we debate about here are simply akin to debating where the cherries or toppings go or which ones are used for a particular ice cream sundae; either way, it’s still an ice cream sundae. Unfortunately, the situation we are all in is nothing so simple or sweet as a sundae.
So, WHAT CAN WE ACTUALLY DO? HOW CAN WE, AS AMERICAN CITIZENS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, HUMAN BEINGS, STOP THE RUNAWAY TRAIN?
There is a way and it is real and it is practical and it will work. I have come to believe, short of some kind of tooth fairy miracle, it is the only way we can truly and systematically and practically effect the kind of change REQUIRED in the current times. And guess what, it’s simple. Very simple. And it will work if we simply do it. And it is easy to do.
The National Initiative gives the power to make law to the people, to us, you and I. What percentage of citizens want out of Iraq? Oh really? Ok, we’re out. Health care for everybody? No joke, we want that? Ok, got it. Campaign reform? Interesting idea is it? You like it? Me too. Done. No kidding everyone, let’s keep talking but let’s also DO SOMETHING.
This is not some strange idea, this is in the Constitution! It was put there for just such a purpose and time as we find today. Let’s take control, of OUR COUNTRY. Is that a radical idea? That was the original idea and the results of that created a place where people from everywhere have come for a better life. Not everyone has found a better life and lives have gotten worse for many of us in recent times, but, thank whoever you want, it IS in the Constitution and it grants us, the people of America, that power - if we want it.
http://www.nationalinitiative.us/
As they say, put up or shut up, best to everyone,
Willie
I’m an expat and have heard rumor that this is getting almost no TV air time in the states. Is this true? No network, or cable TV news is giving this any prime time, or headline coverage?
I saw on the Daily show Cheney’s executive denial, and stream Airamerica, but CNN and BBC show nothing as far as headlines. The Blair ousting is shadowing everything for the moment.
FYI, the stuff I hear on AA and read hear in Germany is the same stuff that makes mainstream news here at least on the radio, but also on TV.
Congress doesn’t need the Supremely fascist court if they back up their subpoenas with funding cut off for non compliance. I agree the Supremely fascist court is not to be trusted. They are all corporate shills with 5 of them activist corporate shills.
Money talks, BS walks.
Lawdy have mercy on this fascist banana republic. Are we going to have a democracy coming out of this thang?
“It’s unfortunate that congressional Democrats continue to choose the route of confrontation.”
Really! And it would be different if the Republicans had been confrontational when Clinton was in office. Oh. Wait…
Never mind.
Cheny declared himself “not part of the executive branch” just in time for this subpoena. Coincidence? I think not.
Well it sounds promising, but the Dems have no backbone to carry it through. The White House will stonewall and win.
It’s time to get rid of BOTH Dems and Repugs.
Here’s a nifty little event happening on the 4th of July. Finally, because Cindy Sheehan had the guts to admit that she couldn’t stomach her “Democratic handlers” anymore who were telling her not to talk about 9-11 and the Jersey Girls etc., the 9-11 Truth Movement, the Anti-War movement, the Fair elections movement, etc. are getting together for a little soiree.
There are plenty of people you can email your thoughts to even if you can’t attend. Here’s the information:
Philadelphia Emergency Anti-War Convention - July 4, 2007
9/11 skeptics are invited to Philadelphia to forge an alliance with the anti-war movement, to bring an end to the 9/11 wars, and other future wars.
Please come to the
PHILADELPHIA EMERGENCY
ANTI-WAR CONVENTION
JULY 4, 2007
This convention was originally called forth by Cindy Sheehan as a response to the betrayal of the antiwar cause by Congress. Cindy gave a call to,
“all citizens … to join us in Philadelphia on July 4th to try and figure a way out of this “two” party system that is bought and paid for by the war machine which has a stranglehold on every aspect of our lives. As for myself, I am leaving the Democratic Party. You have completely failed those who put you in power to change the direction our country is heading. We do not condone our government’s violent meddling in sovereign countries and we condemn the continued murderous occupation of Iraq.”
We are convening to explore what to do next? What are we missing, and what can we do better? How do we release the war machine’s stranglehold around us?
In the living tradition of the Declaration of Independence, we convene to form a strategic alliance with anti-war, pro-impeachment, civil liberties, and other groups to develop a comprehensive strategy and implement actions to deal with this emergency.
Join us to deliberate with a wide variety of groups to create viable solutions.
Sponsors: Peace Action-Delaware Valley, Philadelphia Regional Anti-War Network, Northeast 9/11 Truth, Green Party of Vermont … join us
Location: Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 1:00-9:00 pm, July 4th
For more information contact,
Bruce Marshall brmas(at)earthlink.net or
Paul Deslauriers Paulnrg(at)aol.com, 413-232-7888
You have to give these patriots credit! At least they’re DOING SOMETHING!!! And keep your eye on CSPAN next Wednesday. Bet they’ll cover it.
I agree with both Fed Up and Shane. Cheny/Bush will do ANYTHING to hold on to power because if they don’t do something very soon they will end up in prison. So, what could save them? What would excuse a Bush/Cheney dictatorship? Yes, that’s right! You guessed it! “I have the feeling something very bad is going to happen and very soon.” So, “It’s time to get rid of BOTH Dems and Repugs.”
evelyn, I agree about Nancy Pelosi being strong, but I question her intent. WHY did she meet in secret at the White House to support a free trade agreement with five countries (including murderous Columbia!)? Heinous.
I will say there’s a lot about back room deals we don’t know about. But we should. Nice thing about Dennis, it’s out in the open.
And you bring up an interesting point about impeachment being up to the Supreme Court. I thought about that. If Bush were impeached, what if he refused to vacate? Congress would have to appeal to the Supreme Court? They could cut off all funds to the administration, but how to control that without shutting down the Federal Government entirely? I don’t know, but it seems entirely likely Bush would ignore an impeachment. After all, there’s Cheney claiming executive privilege while saying he’s not part of the executive. Sounds like the kind of insane thinking of alcoholic family systems. Why isn’t the MSM howling about this? Oh, I forgot, they’re part of the problem.
ontheres, I admire your optimism, but last election, 3 million ballots never even made it to the count, and we no longer get to be the counters. That’s done in secret by the corporations (mostly Diebold and ES&S). Greg Palast points out that many more votes are lost through chicanery than electronic voting machine fraud. Remember Stalin: It’s not who votes, it’s who counts the votes. And in Armed Madhouse, Palast shows how the Republicans will successfully steal the 2008 election. I can wish he’s wrong, but it doesn’t look good. Basically death by a thousand cuts. If we had an honest election in 2006, the Democrats would have swept the field. The Republicans misjudged voter anger (especially with late breaking events) but they will be more careful next time. Think about the last election; in spite of the polls, they were smug before the election and shocked afterwards. They thought they had it covered. Think about 2000; when Gore was being declared winner and the news showed a shot of the Bush family sitting on their couch, with winning smiles on ther faces. I realized then they knew they were going to win - how, I didn’t know. So, good luck - lots of it.
Kathy, I do not disagree with what you just wrote, especially the voter fraud. If the voting place where I vote was electronic with no paper trail, I would not bother to vote there. I would vote with an absentee ballot. Which may be shredded also for all I know. The electronic voting method with no paper trail is just one more method of eroding our rights. And Joseph Stalin was correct on that issue, a very wise monster he was.
I guess I believe Nancy Pelosi will step up and do her job, because I’ve always admired her, with the belief she is honest and cares. We’ll see.
I also believe that basically, Americans all want the same things and I hope we on this website, all support the winner of the Democratic ticket, no matter who it turns out to be. A third party ticket is not viable yet nor will it be in the next two years and or beyond. Realize there are many who believe otherwise, they have believed it for several elections and I admire their hard work in their vain effort to succeed. Sometimes we have to face reality.
Sounds like there is A LOT of stuff that some people don’t want others to find out about…
WE have become the U.S.S.R. enemies of the people,rule by secrecy.
Amusing, pitiful, mournful, angry, innocent, mindless people writing their comments and waving their fingers in the air when they haven’t a chance in hell of doing anything about what they are crying about until they insist in one voice that the criminals Cheney and Bush are impeached.
But it is only talk, which is cheap. Who among you has done anything to promote impeachment?