openspace4life

"According to the testimony of your predecessor, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and your recent testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, the Justice Department intends to prevent Mr. Taylor from complying with the statute and enforcing the contempt citations against Ms. Miers and Mr. Bolten. You claimed that 'enforcement by way of contempt of a congressional subpoena is not permitted when the President directs a direct adviser of his not to appear or when he directs any member of the executive not to produce documents' . . . You purported to base your view on a "long line of authority," but cited no court decision that supports this proposition.

"There is no authority by which persons may wholly ignore a subpoena and fail to appear as directed because a President unilaterally instructs them to do so. . . . [and] Short of a formal assertion of executive privilege, which cannot be made in this case, there is no authority that permits a President to advise anyone to ignore a duly issued congressional subpoena for documents. . . .

"I strongly urge you to reconsider your position and to ensure that our nation is operating under the rule of law and not at presidential whim. . . . [Please] inform us of [your] decision within one week from today, so that the House may proceed with a civil enforcement suit in federal district court."

- Letter from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, sent February 28th (emphasis added)

This from the same woman who has told us that impeachment is not an option. Of course I can't be sure, but I think she may be reconsidering her position at long last.