BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed

The AP reports that the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed Karl Rove.

The subpoena issued Thursday orders Rove to testify before the House panel on July 10. He is expected to face questions about the White House's role in firing nine U.S. attorneys in 2006 and the prosecution of former Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama, a Democrat.

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers had negotiated with Rove's attorneys for more than a year over whether the former top aide to President Bush would testify voluntarily.

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Rove has failed to cooperate with our requests," Conyers, D-Mich., said in a statement. "Although he does not seem the least bit hesitant to discuss these very issues weekly on cable television and in the print news media, Mr. Rove and his attorney have apparently concluded that a public hearing room would not be appropriate."

"Unfortunately, I have no choice today but to compel his testimony on these very important matters," Conyers said.


Seeing as how we haven't heard any testimony from Harriet Miers, I doubt we'll ever see Karl Rove testifying before Congress.

Update: The Raw Story has a copy of Conyers' letter to Rove's attorney, which came with the subpoena. Some interesting snippets (italics mine):

Your letter is incorrect in suggesting that the enclosed subpoena will raise the same issues as the Senate Judiciary Committee's subpoena to Mr. Rove and the pending lawsuit concerning our Committee's subpoena to Harriet Miers. Both these matters focus on the firing of U.S. Attorneys in 2006 and efforts to mislead Congress and the public on that subject. Here, as we have made clear from the outset, the Siegelman case is a principal focus of our request for Mr. Rove to testify. In addition, unlike Harriet Miers, Mr. Rove has made a number of on-the-record comments to the media about the Siegelman case and the U.S. Attorney firings, extending far beyond "general denials of wrongdoing." There is no question that both the prior subpoenas to Mr. Rove and Ms. Miers should have been complied with. But it is even more clear that Mr. Rove should testify as we have now directed.

(Cross-posted at CrazyDrumGuy)



Display:


Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (2.00 / 2)

It is about time!


I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support... NY Governor Paterson
by obamaovermccain on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:43:42 PM EST

Oh yeah, (2.00 / 2)

That's one piggy I can't wait to see barbecued.


by luckymortal on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:45:10 PM EST

Joe Wilson (2.00 / 3)


   once mentioned how great it would be to see Rove frog-marched out of the White House in handcuffs.

  Well it can't be out of the White House, but I'll take being frog-marched out of wherever the hell he happens to be. The man is a criminal and should be stamping license plates for the next 20 years.


by southernman on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:46:42 PM EST

Re: Joe Wilson (2.00 / 1)

How about frog-marched off of the Faux News Network set?  On live t.v.?  Now THAT would be awesome.


by Vivianne on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:59:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

Great news.  Now, enforce the subpoena, if he refuses to comply.  It's past time for this investigation to question Rove's role in this (and many other) scandals.


"I'm all for the delegate battle, and now that Obama's campaign is too, I'm all giddy. It's going to be the supers as kingmaker." J.Armstrong 01/19/08
by obscurant on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:47:52 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

Oh how I wish it would actually produce results.  Sadly, just like in the case of Myers and Bolton they will claim "executive priviledge".  


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:47:52 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

In the letter, Conyers points out that Sara Taylor and Scott Jennings testified by claimed privilege only on questions where it applied, and he strongly encourages Rove to do the same. Will it happen? I doubt it. Still, the effort is always good.


Stop the racism. Fight the smears.
by CrazyDrumGuy on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:07:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He won't come willingly (none / 0)

They're going to have to send the congressional baliff with that awesome mace to haul him in.

Congress is done being pushed around by these monsters.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:49:42 PM EST

Re: He won't come willingly (none / 0)

Yeah, sure they are.  When did Myers and Bolton testify again?  Oh yeah, that's right they haven't.

I don't put much faith in the Congress to do jack shit when it comes to Bush and his merry band of criminals.  They struck a back room deal to get their positions of power.  


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:53:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

They grew their spine this year (none / 0)

I'm not sure the exact moment that they grew a spine, but it was quite recent.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:54:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They grew their spine this year (2.00 / 1)

I hope so.  The fact that so many egregious acts have gone completely unchecked for so long literally makes my skin crawl.


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:17:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I know, I know (none / 0)

You get mojo for using the term "egregious."


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:25:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know, I know (none / 0)

Thanks.  :)  Torture is pretty egregious.  


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:41:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know, I know (none / 0)

Dracomicron and JustJennifer,  are either of guys readers of http://www.crooksandliars.com/   or listeners of The Young Turks?

Because the show would host John Amato (runs C&L.com) once a week for a segment called "Most Egregious Clip of the week"

The discussion covered whatever was the most heinous of talking points or lies or progaganda of the right wing.

During the months this segment went on the hosts of The Young Turks would use the word egregious.

I loved it so much it entered my lexicon, although I reserve it only for public figures :)


http://www.truepat.org/
by CrushTheGOP2008 on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:46:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nah. (none / 0)

I'm just an english major.  Maybe I'll check it out, though. :)


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:49:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Nah. (none / 0)

Haha,  I get all my good vocabulary from liberal talk radio.

Here is a sample of both the blog and the show.  

Check em both out,  TYT definatly has the best radio show (they headlined Air America for 1 year, and Sirius for 5 years, now they are independent)


http://www.truepat.org/
by CrushTheGOP2008 on Thu May 22, 2008 at 05:14:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know, I know (none / 0)

Crooks and Liars.. I just checked it out.  I like it!  Thanks for the tip.  :)


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 07:55:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

too little, too late (none / 0)

How long before the courts go through the appeal process?


Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.
by Carl Nyberg on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:49:51 PM EST

GOD BLESS AMERICA! (none / 0)

GOD BLESS AMERICA!


http://www.truepat.org/
by CrushTheGOP2008 on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:52:32 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

he's not called turd blossom for nothing.  


Hillary - alternative energy
by anna shane on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:52:38 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

my prediction (for what it's worth):

Couple of days of BS testimony, some terse back and forth, along with some pithy responses from Rove thrown in.  End of story for the time being...

Flash forward 12 months - John Edwards is AG and restarts the investigation using Rove's testimoney UNDER OATH as the basis to start peeling the onion.  This is going to be a far reaching inquiry; Conyers is just laying the groundwork for perjury and obstruction charges later down the line.


Congratulations Steny Hoyer! Our 2008 Chickenshit Leader Of The Year!
by RockvilleLiberal2 on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:52:56 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

IF they even get him to testify.   I dunno.. I am a little more hopeful that they can pull him in and dismiss that bullshit about priviledge but not much more hopeful.  These people are very good at getting away with anything.  


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 03:54:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

Jennifer, could you imagine last September of 2006 that not only would Rove be fired.

That the media would vilify him as a career criminal and that sitting congressmen threaten him with arrest.

I find it funny the only people who over the top cyncical about the lovely persecution of these republican criminals are also over the top HRC supporters.
You got to know what that looks like.

Any hit on Karl Rove should make you smile.


http://www.truepat.org/
by CrushTheGOP2008 on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:11:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

Of course it is a good thing but where is Karl Rove now?  Oh yeah, he is appearing on Fox News.  Seems pretty untouched to me.  

I would like nothing better than to see Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Rove, Gonzales, et al strung up by their thumbs and exposed once and for all as the criminals and deviants that they are.  The fact that very little has been done on this front leaves me cynical and bitter.

And my affiliation with one candidate or the other during the primary season has nothing to do with my feelings now.


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:20:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

Sorry, Jennifer, I was biting my fingers to type out that "perception" I get, but I have seen over a swath of people here who support Clinton bash and put down anything associated with progressive activists.

Its the same feeling when I watched James Carville attack and belittle Howard Dean for our victories in 2006.

When the www.condimustgo.com campaign was initiated and links were posted on this site, there were people here defending her and attacking the petition.

I do believe you hate these guys as much as I do, and I love you for that but show some optimism.
We have these guys on the ropes.
Sure I know it is very unlikely we will see American law enforcement put these guys in bracelets but at the very least we need to make sure these guys don't sit comfortable.
We can't be the first western nation with war criminals retiring peacefuly with great wealth.

If I wanted that I would have moved to Chile 30 years ago (or whenever pinochet did his thing).

thanks for conversation   :)


http://www.truepat.org/
by CrushTheGOP2008 on Thu May 22, 2008 at 04:43:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Rove Subpoenaed (none / 0)

Thank you for recognizing my non-partisan hatred for what has happened to our country.  :)

I would never, ever say one word in support of Rice.  The destruction and devastation that our administration has caused throughout the world is unparalled to anything I have seen during my adult lifetime.  I have wept with anger and frustration over the thousands of lives lost - not just American but civilian lives in other countries.  Forget the money we have spent - we can always regain our financial footing with prudent and wise decisions by our government.  Those lives lost can never be regained.

And yes I am totally jaded about any possibility that anyone will ever be held accountable for any of this.  


by JustJennifer on Thu May 22, 2008 at 05:50:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.