As I noted last week, Karl Rove received his second subpoena from the U.S. Congress, but has yet to testify under oath. I'm deeply skeptical that he will appear before Congress, based on the past history of Rove and others using supposed "executive privilege" to defy Congress and of Congress failing to function as an effective check on executive power.
So color me cynical. But the Grey Lady's staff has some hope left -- here's a few snippets from today's lead editorial, "Mr. Rove Talks, but Doesn't Answer":
In a recent appearance on "This Week With George Stephanopoulos," Karl Rove was asked if he had a role in the Justice Department's decision to prosecute Don Siegelman....
Mr. Rove, who has traded in his White House job for that of talking head, talked a lot but didn't answer the question. He also did not directly deny being involved. The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed him to testify. It should do everything in its power to see that he does and that he answers all of its questions.
[The charges] suggest that the justice system was turned into a partisan tool, and that Mr. Siegelman's freedom may have been taken away because of his political allegiances.
Mr. Rove has already defied a Senate subpoena on the issue of politicized prosecutions, claiming executive privilege, and he seems intent on defying the House's subpoena. His claim of executive privilege is not only weak; it is shamefully cynical.
It is time for Michael Mukasey, the attorney general, to stand up for justice by enforcing Congress's subpoenas. If he will not do that, Congress must ensure that its investigative authority is not thwarted.
Mr. Rove seems willing to talk about this case everywhere except where he is required to: in Congress, in public, under oath. The American people, and Mr. Siegelman, are counting on Congress to find out the truth.
And a quick note for Congress:
"Ensuring that [your] executive authority is not thwarted" and "finding out the truth" mean more than strongly-worded letters and subpoenas that end up in Karl Rove's recycle bin.
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