Clearly the firings of 9 U.S. Attorneys during the Bush Administration was a low point for the Justice Department during that era. But just as shameful has been the efforts made by Bush Aides Karl Rove and Harriet Miers to avoid testifying before Congress to help clear up some questions. Finally something has been worked out. Let the fun begin.
By Carrie Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — Attorneys for former president George W. Bush, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Obama administration reached agreement yesterday to resolve a long-running dispute over the scope of executive power, a move that will allow lawmakers to question Bush aides Karl Rove and Harriet E. Miers about their roles in the firing of nine federal prosecutors in 2006.
The pact follows weeks of negotiations led by White House Counsel Gregory B. Craig, who wanted to avert a federal court showdown that could have restricted the authority of the president in future disputes with other branches of government.
Under the terms of the deal, former presidential adviser Rove and former White House lawyer Miers will testify before the House Judiciary Committee in transcribed interviews, under penalty of perjury, but without cameras, reporters or members of the public in attendance. The transcripts eventually will be published, the agreement said.
The settlement gives the Judiciary Committee access to long-sought internal documents prepared by the Bush White House and the Justice Department from December 2004 through March 2007 about the politically explosive firing of the nine prosecutors.
Former Fired U.S. Atty. David Iglesias Comments on Latest Development (TPMmuckraker)
Here’s One of the Agreements Rove Worked Out Before Agreeing to Testify (TPMmuckraker)
