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Subpoenas and Stalling for Time EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE UPDATE

The Bush-Cheney edition.

Republicans voted with Democrats demanding the White House turn over documents.
It doesn’t get any clearer than this.

No indication White House will comply 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 with the new ones. “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.” In fact, the Judiciary Committee’s three most senior Republicans — Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, former chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah and Chuck Grassley of Iowa — sided with Democrats on the 13-3 vote last week to give Leahy the power to issue the subpoenas. The showdown between the White House and Congress could land in federal court. Also named in subpoenas signed by Leahy were the Justice Department and the National Security Council. The four parties have until July 18 to comply, Leahy said. He added that, like House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Michigan, he would consider pursuing contempt citations against those who refuse. … .. Panel demands White House eavesdropping documents

Ready the contempt citations, Democrats. Because the trick for the White House is to stall until they’re out of office, running to the court if they must. Running out the clock. That’s all Bush-Cheney has
left to do. If they hand over the pertinent documents they’ll be unmasked for the un-American, over zealous imperial executive we’ve always known they are.

UPDATE: You knew this was going to happen, right? Here’s the headling: White House Asserts Executive Privilege. TPMmuckraker has more.

The White House, moving toward a constitutional showdown with Congress, asserted executive privilege Thursday and rejected lawmakers’ demands for documents that could shed light on the firings of federal prosecutors. President Bush’s attorney told Congress the White House would not turn over subpoenaed documents for former presidential counsel Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor. “With respect, it is with much regret that we are forced down this unfortunate path which we sought to avoid by finding grounds for mutual accommodation,” White House counsel Fred Fielding said in a letter to the chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. “We had hoped this matter could conclude with your committees receiving information in lieu of having to invoke executive privilege. Instead, we are at this conclusion.”