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Democrats subpoena Miers and Taylor |
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By Jeremy Jacobs
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Posted: 06/13/07 12:49 PM [ET] |
Democrats Wednesday stepped up their battle with the administration over the 2006 firing of eight U.S. attorneys, subpoenaing former White House political director Sara Taylor and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers.
Taylor’s subpoena, issued by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), requests her testimony before his committee on July 11 and seeks documents relevant to the investigation. Meanwhile, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) subpoenaed Miers, compelling her to testify before the Judiciary panel the following day and to turn over White House documents.
“Let me be clear: this subpoena is not a request, it is a demand on behalf of the American people for the White House to make available the documents and individuals we are requesting to help us answer the questions that remain,” Conyers said in a press release Wednesday announcing the subpoenas.
In the same release, Leahy noted that the White House has failed to respond to his numerous requests for information, and said the administration can’t have it “both ways” by claiming “nothing improper occurred” and “stonewall[ing]” his investigation.
“The involvement of the White House’s political operation in this project, including former Political Director Sara Taylor and her boss Karl Rove, has been confirmed by information gathered by congressional committees,” he added. “Some at the White House may hope to thwart our constitutional oversight efforts by locking the doors and closing the curtains, but we will keep asking until we get to the truth.”
Tony Fratto, the president’s deputy press secretary, said the White House will “review the subpoenas and respond accordingly.” The White House has been forthcoming in offering documents and interviews, he said.
“But it's clear that Sen. Leahy and Rep. Conyers are more interested in creating a media drama than getting the facts,” he added.
Conyers said that evidence indicates that the White House’s involvement in the firings goes beyond what has been uncovered thus far.
“The breadcrumbs in this investigation have always led to 1600 Pennsylvania,” he said in the statement. “This investigation will not end until the White House complies with the demands of this subpoena in a timely and reasonable manner so that we may get to the bottom of this.”
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