Editorial: Executive Privilege

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, August, 2008

House Democrats were correct to go to court to compel White House officials to appear before Congress. A federal judge late last week validated the decision by Democrats to file suit, ruling that White House aides aren't above the law. U.S. District Court Judge John Bates said that chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers must answer subpoenas from Congress.

The House Judiciary Committee wants to ask Miers and Bolten about the firings of nine U.S. attorneys and whether they were politically motivated. The Bush administration, which has arrogantly sought to overextend executive power at every turn, insists that White House aides have absolute immunity from congressional subpoenas. But in a reasoned opinion, Bates ruled that the Bush...