Report: Administration Further Expands Executive Privilege Claim

[helderheid]

WASHINGTON — In the growing battle between the White House and Congress, the administration will block the Justice Department from prosecuting any contempt charges that Congress may bring as a result of the administration's claim of executive privilege, according to a news report.

Administration officials have discussed the plan for several weeks, a move that could derail ongoing attempts in Congress to uncover new documents or testimony in the investigation of last year's firings of several U.S. attorneys, The Washington Post reported.

• Click here to read the full report. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/19/AR2007071902625.html?hpid=topnews

Congressional Democrats have led the charge against the administration, saying the firings have the appearance of being politically motivated, pointing to the involvement of top political officials in the administration as well as e-mail conversations by administration officials taking place on Republican National Committee accounts.

Several Justice Department officials have resigned amid the investigation, and some have said they acted improperly. But the White House has remained staunch in its stance that it has the right at any time to fire attorneys. Furthermore, it has rebuffed attempts to bring any more White House officials before public hearings using the claim to executive privilege.

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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290112,00.html

[rodeodance]

1. Congress has made the abuse to the Justice branch a priority which I am

glad to see.

[pocoloco]

2. neo-con rule #14

"You never know what you can get away with until you try it."

[mmonk]

4. So far so good for them overall.

[wtmusic]

3. "If the camel once get his nose in a tent, the body will soon follow."

If the House Rules once get flushed down the toilet, the Constitution will soon follow.

[underpants]

5. I don't buy for a second that they have been discussing this for weeks

they are spitballing the whole thing at this point. There never has been any forethought other than the three prime directives

Empty the treasury
Raid the public trusts
Invade Iraq

Okay add in strengthen the Executive branch.

They got caught AGAIN with their hand in the cookie jar and they are just trying anything to blur the focus of how corrupt they are-legally and morally.

[lynnertic]

6. OH DO IT ANYWAY Congress!!!!

Make those contempt charges, and then just Impeach people until they start to follow the rule of law.

Do it all out in the open for everyone to see how corrupt and ruthless this administration is. Let everyone see who sold their souls, and to whom.