Two weeks ago, Democratic Chairman Henry Waxman, head of the House Oversight Committee, subpoenaed the relevant documents--specifically interviews with President Bush and Vice President Cheney-- related to the outing of CIA Operative Valarie Plame. According to the Committee, the Justice Department has refused to comply.
The Justice Department has informed the Committee that it will not comply with a congressionally issued subpoena to produce interview documents from the investigation into the leak of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame’s identity, including documents from the interviews of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Chairman Waxman wrote to Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald to request information regarding the terms under which Fitzgerald interviewed President Bush and Vice President Cheney in the course of his investigation into the leak.
As we prepare for the latest sternly worded letter, Talking Points Memo reports:
In the latest subpoena denial from the administration, Attorney General Mukasey informed the Committee that it will not be issuing documents to comply with the congressionally issued subpoena.
How did this happen, and when did it become standard for the Department of Justice to block all inquiries and shield the Executive Branch from any oversight?
I understand there are a number of reasons why the issue of impeachment is a combustible topic, but it seems as though the only way to restore balance and pierce through the walls that this Administration has set up is to, at the very least, seriously consider the topic. Can we do something? Can Congress stop worrying about whether we have given enough credence to John McCain's war record or destroying what is left of the Constitution and maybe just give this issue a glance?
I feel hopeless, as I think many of you may also feel. I know that the first step is to elect Obama president. However, I do not want an Obama presidency that feels it can ignore the rule of law and the principles of Congressional Oversight merely because it is inconvenient. This sight is about electing Democrats, and lately it seems that there is a rule stating each diary has to mention this point. However, it doesn't matter what the party affiliation is if the system does not work. Do you feel dejected? Let's hear why...