Gary J Carter
2008-07-19 22:29:15 UTC
Why Karl Rove Should Go to Jail
By Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, Huffington Post. Posted July 17, 2008.
Karl Rove ignored a Congressional subpoena last week, leaving the
country rather than testify under oath. Enough is enough.
Again last week, we saw the arrogance of former White House advisor
Karl Rove when an empty chair sat for him in front of the House
Judiciary subcommittee where he was required by subpoena to testify.
Not only did he refuse to appear before the committee -- let alone
testify -- but he defiantly left the country thereby blatantly
ignoring his obligations under the congressional subpoena served on
him. When he did return to the country, Rove found the time to gab
with TV reporters on a summer press tour in Beverly Hills, but failed
to stop by the Judiciary Committee in Washington.
After my ruling that Mr. Rove's claims of immunity are not legally
valid, Congressman Conyers and I gave him one last chance to comply
with the law. He ignored us. As he let yet another deadline slip by
this week, Mr. Rove's disregard for Congress has become intolerable.
Mr. Rove needs to understand that he is not above the law and should
obey a subpoena just like any other American is required to do.
Mr. Rove should not be able to hide behind the president to avoid the
American public. Americans are fed up with this administration
flaunting the law. They expect Congress to hold people accountable and
that is exactly what we intend to do. Letting Mr. Rove get away with
this would set a dangerous precedent. I have recommended that we hold
Mr. Rove in contempt of Congress. If we need to revive the inherent
contempt procedure which gives Congress the authority to arrest those
who defy Congressional subpoenas, then so be it.
The courts have made clear that no one, not even the president, is
immune from compulsory process. Any person who scoffs at the law and
who has committed an offense that is punishable by jail time should be
put in jail. This includes Karl Rove.
By Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, Huffington Post. Posted July 17, 2008.
Karl Rove ignored a Congressional subpoena last week, leaving the
country rather than testify under oath. Enough is enough.
Again last week, we saw the arrogance of former White House advisor
Karl Rove when an empty chair sat for him in front of the House
Judiciary subcommittee where he was required by subpoena to testify.
Not only did he refuse to appear before the committee -- let alone
testify -- but he defiantly left the country thereby blatantly
ignoring his obligations under the congressional subpoena served on
him. When he did return to the country, Rove found the time to gab
with TV reporters on a summer press tour in Beverly Hills, but failed
to stop by the Judiciary Committee in Washington.
After my ruling that Mr. Rove's claims of immunity are not legally
valid, Congressman Conyers and I gave him one last chance to comply
with the law. He ignored us. As he let yet another deadline slip by
this week, Mr. Rove's disregard for Congress has become intolerable.
Mr. Rove needs to understand that he is not above the law and should
obey a subpoena just like any other American is required to do.
Mr. Rove should not be able to hide behind the president to avoid the
American public. Americans are fed up with this administration
flaunting the law. They expect Congress to hold people accountable and
that is exactly what we intend to do. Letting Mr. Rove get away with
this would set a dangerous precedent. I have recommended that we hold
Mr. Rove in contempt of Congress. If we need to revive the inherent
contempt procedure which gives Congress the authority to arrest those
who defy Congressional subpoenas, then so be it.
The courts have made clear that no one, not even the president, is
immune from compulsory process. Any person who scoffs at the law and
who has committed an offense that is punishable by jail time should be
put in jail. This includes Karl Rove.