Party crashers subpoeaned to testify; Rogers escapes

The House Homeland Security Committee has just voted to subpoena the White House "party crashers," forcing the couple to appear before the panel.

Tareq and Michaele Salahi had previously declined an invitation to voluntarily testify and have reportedly notified the committee through an attorney that they will invoke their fifth amendment right against self-incrimination if they are subpoenaed.

The committee, however, decided to call the couple's bluff.

Ranking Republican Pete King (N.Y.) attempted to force a vote on subpoenaing White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers as well, arguing that the White House's decision not to post an aide at the Secret Service checkpoint contributed to the security lapse.

Chairman Bennie Thompson denied the request on procedural grounds, and King, along with most of his Republican colleagues, eventually supported the Salahi subpoenas.

The White House has declined a previous request by King to have Rogers testify, citing executive privilege.

King said executive privilege was not relevant in this case because Rogers was not providing the president with sensitive counsel.

“We're not talking about giving confidential advice to the president,” King said “We're talking about who's going to stand where outside the White House at a state dinner.”