Rep. Wexler: Inherent Contempt for Rove

Rep. Wexler: Inherent Contempt for Rove
by Wexler For Congress Campaign
Tue May 20, 2008 at 12:39:36 PM PDT
We thought you might want to see what Congressman Wexler had sent to our WexlerWantsHearings.com list late last week regarding this subject. - Wexler Campaign

Dear Friend,

Recently, I appeared on MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams to discuss Karl Rove's outrageous refusal to appear before Congress regarding serious allegations that he used the US Justice Department to take down a prominent Democratic politician. It is alleged that Mr. Rove personally instigated the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegleman. The case has been criticized by legal experts, and 52 former state attorneys general – both Republicans and Democrats – have criticized the case and called for an investigation. (You may view the clip here.)

Wexler For Congress Campaign's diary :: ::
If Rove refuses to testify voluntarily and ignores the subpoenas that will certainly be issued, he should be held in Inherent Contempt of the House of Representatives.

No American is above the law. None of us should be able to ignore Congress without consequence. If Mr. Rove ignores a subpoena from the Judiciary Committee, then the House of Representatives should pass an Inherent Contempt citation and exercise our right to send the House Sergeant-of-Arms to gather Mr. Rove and bring him before Congress to testify.

I do not advocate this option lightly, but the reality is that Congress has few options left against an Administration that totally refuses to submit to any type of reasonable Congressional oversight. Congress has both the right and obligation to investigate these matters. Never before has an Executive so upset the checks and balances inherent in our Constitution. If we back off or delay, we effectively forfeit the power of Congress to investigate the Executive branch.

Rove is not the first White House official to ignore Congress. We have seen a pattern of refusals based on laughable claims of executive privilege. First, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers ignored subpoenas on the investigation into the firing of US Attorney Generals for partisan political motives.

Their refusal to testify was unprecedented: never before have executive officials totally refused to even show up before Congress. Bolten and Miers are the highest officials ever held in contempt of Congress. Unfortunately, Attorney General Mukasey – in a dereliction of duty – has refused to enforce the contempt decree and now Congress is suing them in District Court to demand compliance. Then, the Vice President's Chief of Staff, David Addington, refused to testify on the investigation into the Bush Administration's ordering of torture. Now, Rove continues this executive arrogance by also refusing to testify.

Enough is enough. We have a Constitutional obligation to provide accountability to a White House that is trying usurp the constitutional powers of Congress.

These are the very reasons why I have been pushing for impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney. The Bush Administration has been running roughshod over the Constitution for eight long years. We should not allow the promise of a positive election be used as an excuse to ignore our duty to investigate crimes that weaken the very fabric of our Democracy.

I thank you again for your commitment to the causes that we hold so dear.

With warm regards,

Congressman Robert Wexler
www.wexlerforcongress.com
clip here:
http://www.wexlerforcongress.com/news.asp?ItemID=246

The Sargent of Arms to bring him in with leg shackles on.

Inherent Contempt citation has to be issued & enforced promptly.

pulled his ass off the air and cuffed him.

:toast:

We cowardly let them get away with it in 1963, we let them get away with it in 1980, we let them get away with it in 2000, we let them get away with it on 9/11, we let them get away with it in 2004. Is it any wonder the criminal shadow government continues to march the American sheeple to the precipice of the fascist abattoir.

If we don't stand up to these murderous thugs we will have given our entire society, our entire planet over to their evil control. There is only one way to reconcile our country with its divine responsibility as the leader of world freedom.

Investigate. Impeach. Imprison.

Yes, we can.

–Qutz

Who would actually issue the Inherent Contempt citation? Waxman? Or is it Conyers?

The world can't wait.

the best laid plans of meeses and men and froggies too, gang aft awry...

into a prince anytime soon.

I won't be holding my breath, re: Rove. Sorry to sound so cynical but there it is.

"Mr. McCain - what do you have to say about Karl Rove being hauled in in leg irons today?"
"Karl who? Cindy do we know a Karl? We do? {{cindy you c___ no we don't}}

WILL or WON'T. It's long past time to stop talking in wishy-washy open-ended terms and get focused.

Otherwise I concur 100%.