Palin refuses to release emails involving complaints overbrother-in-law Sep 10, 2008
The state Governor had claimed executive privilege for documents copied to her husband in responding to an open records request in June made by Andree McLeod, an activist in Anchorage. The administrative appeal filed on Tuesday by Ms McLeod's attorney, Donald Mitchell, argued that by copying Todd Palin on sensitive state correspondence, the Governor and her aides shattered the privilege rightly afforded elected officials. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
New Prosecutor Assigned To Keg Shooting Case Sep 10, 2008
However, he would not say whether he or someone else did the shooting, claiming executive privilege. The sheriff defended the act as a dramatic way to impact underage drinkers. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Miers' appearance before panel delayed Sep 6, 2008
In late July, U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled that Miers didn't have the right to ignore the subpoena but that she could cite executive privilege and refuse to answer specific questions once she was before the committee. Bates' 93-page ruling was seen as a significant setback for the administration, which had asserted a broad executive-privilege claim that would have protected Miers from making an appearance. (AZCentral -- News)
COLUMN: Electrical outlets difficult to find on 'media row' Sep 4, 2008
This woman sounds like she's been taking advise from the Bush Cheney regime, whose usual game is to stonewall everything to death and then claim executive privilege ... I don't recall, I invoke the fifth, I have executive privilege, and so do my minions. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
LETTERS: NCT, Sept. 3, 2008 Sep 4, 2008
" Ms M wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:15 PM:The following from an article:September 03, 2008 12:38 PMOfficials of Gov. Sarah Palin's former church, Wasilla Assembly of God, in Alaska, shut down part of their website Wednesday, stating that their site could not handle the higher-than-normal traffic.The part of the website no longer functioning appears to be the section where the sermons of senior Pastor Ed Kalnins were available, including one from 2004 -- after Palin left the church -- where he... (North County Times)
POLITICO: New Palin details may help, not hurt... Sep 2, 2008
after all Todd Palin has no standing to claim executive privilege. By including him in the email loop, the Palin administration has arguably breached any claim of executive privilege. (The Drudge Report)
White House loses round in court on subpoenas Aug 28, 2008
The judge said Miers can assert executive privilege - the principle that the executive branch must be independent from the legislative branch - and refuse to testify, but she must appear on Capitol Hill and do so in person. Tuesday's ruling could reinvigorate negotiations between the two branches to settle the dispute. (San Francisco Chronicle)
U.S. Judge Refuses to Delay White House Subpoenas Aug 27, 2008
The judge said Miers can assert executive privilege the principle that the executive branch must be independent from the legislative branch and refuse to testify, but she must appear in Congress in person. Tuesday's ruling could reinvigorate negotiations between the two branches to settle the dispute, but the White House can still try to get the ruling put on hold if it asks an appeals court to do so. (Fox News)
Dick Cheney changed history, but dont applaud him Aug 25, 2008
He could successfully invoke executive privilege, something not in the Constitution, to keep the public and the press in the dark. In America BC, the vice president was a stumbler (Gerald Ford), a bumbler (Dan Quayle), a malapropist (George H.W. Bush) or an android (Al Gore). (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Negotiations Under Way in White House Subpoena Case Aug 23, 2008
If she wants to assert executive privilege, she must do so in person, Bates ruled. The Bush administration has asked Bates to stay his decision pending an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. (Law.com)
Lead or get out of the way Aug 21, 2008
How does one like Karl Rove claim executive privilege when subpoenaed to court. Was Rove elected. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Politics trumps all at the U.S. Justice Dept. Aug 13, 2008
Instead, he has supported their baseless claims of executive privilege. We opposed Mukasey's confirmation because we feared that he would worry more about defending the Bush administration than enforcing the law. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
(?) Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Leads a Democratic Group, Yet Nets Refuse to Name His Party Aug 12, 2008
UNIDENTIFIED CONGRESSWOMAN: The claim of executive privilege is really not a valid one. UNIDENTIFIED ANCHOR FROM MSNBC: Congressman, I just want to clarify, there is a jail in the U.S. Capitol. (MediaResearch.org)
* ANALYSIS: Chen has a case against declassification: analysts Aug 11, 2008
Chao Yung-mau (Z), a political science professor at National Taiwan University, said that the sitting president should respect the executive privilege of his or her predecessor as the Council of Grand Justices has confirmed the presidents constitutional right to decide what constitutes a state secret and the right to refuse disclosure. Rather than declassifying the documents, Chao said, Ma should have made clear that he respected Chens executive privilege but he disagreed with Chens... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Letters for Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Aug 7, 2008
That, and our 4-a-gallon gas at the pumps, is the result of Vice President Dick Cheney s energy policy, which he did behind closed doors under the guise of executive privilege. And how many of the 4,000-plus dead and 30,000 wounded would have received MIPs (minors in possession) had they lived because they re old enough to vote and die, but too young to drink. (Missoulian, MT)
Too much privilege Aug 6, 2008
The White House asserted executive privilege, making the standard claim that the president needed to have unfettered communication with his aides, and rejected the congressional subpoenas ... The White House, on the other hand, has a legitimate but highly limited tool in executive privilege ... The problem is that since Watergate executive privilege has been more about hiding embarrassments or illegal actions than the constitutionally mandated separation of powers. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Opinion)
Democrats unrelenting in oversight of Bush administration Aug 5, 2008
Take the issue of executive privilege ... But they've refused to appear, citing executive privilege the legal doctrine that holds a president is entitled to keep conversations with staff private, in order to promote candor ... On executive privilege "Congress has not been that successful," says Mr. Thurber. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Judge rejects Bush's 'absolute' immunity argument against subpoenas Aug 3, 2008
Bates left unresolved whether administration officials would be justified in refusing to answer specific questions under the doctrine of executive privilege. That question, and an anticipated White House appeal, means the controversy is likely to spill over into the next administration, where it could raise novel legal questions about whether ex-presidents have the power to assert executive privilege after they have left office ... He said there might be "interesting questions, yet presented,... (Los Angeles Times)
Blank Checks and Imbalances Aug 2, 2008
Start with Judge John D. Bates, who categorically refused yesterday to accept the Bush administration's limitless characterization of executive privilege, finding it to be "without any support in the case law." Ultimately, Bates did nothing more than reaffirm the role of the courts in adjudicating matters of privilege. He found that "it is the judiciary (and not the executive branch itself) that is the ultimate arbiter of executive privilege." This opinion is certainly dramatic, but the... (Slate)
US attorneys' firings: the back story Aug 1, 2008
Both cited President Bush's assertion of executive privilege. The House sued, saying the White House was abusing executive privilege to avoid legitimate congressional oversight. (Los Angeles Times)
White House Aides Can Be Subpoenaed Aug 1, 2008
The unprecedented ruling undercut three presidential confidants who have defied congressional subpoenas for information that Bush says is protected by executive privilege. Democrats swiftly announced they would schedule hearings in September, at the height of election season. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Rove in Contempt of Congress? Aug 1, 2008
One of the reasons Rove refused to attend the hearing was that a case was pending in US district court over whether Harriett Miers, Josh Bolton (and, implicitly, Rove) were protected from even attending Conyers hearings by executive privilege ... That Rove would be able to say almost nothing -- because executive privilege does apply to White House inner deliberations -- is irrelevant. (Human Events Online)
House panel votes to cite Rove for contempt Jul 31, 2008
Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, called the contempt citation a gratuitously punitive action that would serve no purpose because the question of executive privilege is already pending in federal court. Indeed, the fate of that suit illustrates the conundrum of lame-duck oversight. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Rove in contemptof Congress? Jul 31, 2008
Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, had urged the panel in a Tuesday letter not to cite his client, calling it a "gratuitously punitive" action that would serve no purpose because the question of executive privilege is already pending in two other cases in federal court. Rep. (MSNBC -- Politics)
EPA Memo Tells Staff Not To Talk to Investigators, Press Jul 29, 2008
asked for a probe into President Bush's claims of executive privilege over the California documents and other "White House interference" into decisions by the agency. On Monday, Leahy said, "I hope this e-mail is not akin to the wide range of tactics this administration has used to thwart accountability.". (W-USA News, DC)
Lawmakers Talk Bush Impeachment Jul 26, 2008
The Democrat-controlled Judiciary Committee is concerned the Bush administration exceeded its authority in several areas including the following: improper politicization of the Justice Dept; misuse of presidential signing statements; misuse of surveillance, detention, interrogation and rendition programs; manipulation of intelligence and misuse of war powers; improper retaliation and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame CIA agent outing case; and misuse of executive privilege. Related. (ABC News)
Only Eliot Spitzer aides charged in Troopergate scandal Jul 25, 2008
Get the latest News, Sports and Gossip delivered to your home. By KENNETH LOVETT DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF. (New York Daily News)
Critics expressing disappointment with new U.S. attorney general Jul 24, 2008
Halfway through his term, Mukasey has defended or let stand some of the most controversial policies that he inherited from Gonzales, including the treatment of detainees, the broad surveillance powers claimed by Bush and the White House's use of executive privilege in warding off demands from Congress for information. Last week, Democrats charged that Mukasey was using the shield of executive privilege to "cover up" possible wrongdoing by the White House. (International Herald Tribune)
Getting around executive privilege Jul 21, 2008
PRESIDENT BUSH and company have been asserting executive privilege every time questions are raised about anything, such as the CIA leak or the 2003 State of the Union address ("," Page A14, July 17). I feel they can get away with this because the subjects are not important, as they only involve issues such as national security. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
testify before Congress Jul 19, 2008
Linda Sanchez ruled that his claim of executive privilege was invalid, setting the table for a possible contempt vote next week ... He claims that the president's assertion of executive privilege "obligates" him to disregard the Congressional order ... Writing in Slate, David Iglesias, one of the U.S. Attorneys Rove may have had a hand in firing, , pointing out that in the landmark case of United States v. Nixon the Supreme Court unanimously held that executive privilege is not an absolute... (Harper's Magazine)
LETTERS: NCT, July 17, 2008 Jul 18, 2008
As a side note, whatever happened to the comment by "Chuck" has made it always be "the last word", perpetually "on Dec 31, 1969 4:00 PM.Regards, Alf. Fact Checker wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:57 PM:The Washington D.C. Silly Council is trying to circumvent the SCOTUS decision on the ownership of guns by changing as few of their onerous gun ban as possible.Obstructionism is the main tool of liberals, everywhere. (Green= Obstruct) In this case they have taken a page from the Colonies, who perfected... (North County Times)
House OKs bill for more access to spy secrets Jul 18, 2008
In a statement Wednesday, the administration said the bill could expose information previously protected under executive privilege, including pre-decision legal opinions, risk assessments and cost estimates. The legislation "would undermine long-standing arrangements between Congress and the president regarding reporting of sensitive intelligence matters," the statement said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
FBI Eyes IndyMac For Possible Fraud Jul 17, 2008
Home Loans Made To Risky Borrowers Are Focus Of Probe. WASHINGTON, July 16, 2008. (CBS News)
Cops: Man Kills Ex-Wife, Self In Mo. Mall Jul 17, 2008
President Claims Executive Privilege To Keep Congress From Seeing Cheney Interview Report. . (CBS News)
Bush Withholds CIA Leak Records Jul 17, 2008
President Claims Executive Privilege To Keep Congress From Seeing Cheney Interview Report ... (AP) President Bush invoked executive privilege to keep Congress from seeing the FBI report of an interview with Vice President Dick Cheney and other records related to the administration's leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity in 2003 ... "This unfounded assertion of executive privilege does not protect a principle; it protects a person," the California Democrat said. (CBS News)
Bush asserts executive privilege on compliance in CIA leak case Jul 17, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush has asserted executive privilege to prevent Attorney General Michael Mukasey from having to comply with a House panel subpoena for material on the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity ... "This unfounded assertion of executive privilege does not protect a principle; it protects a person," Waxman said ... "I believe it is legally permissible for you to assert executive privilege with respect to the subpoenaed documents.". (Boston Globe)
Bush Claims Privilege to Shield Cheney Interview in Leak Case Jul 17, 2008
July 16 (Bloomberg) -- President invoked executive privilege to avoid turning over records of an FBI interview of Vice President and other documents subpoenaed by Congress in the CIA leak investigation ... This unfounded assertion of executive privilege does not protect a principle; it protects a person,'' said Waxman. (Bloomberg)
Bush won't release data on CIA leak Jul 17, 2008
President Bush blocked on Wednesday an attempt by a House committee to obtain internal FBI documents from the CIA leak investigation, asserting that notes from interviews of Vice President Dick Cheney and other White House officials are protected by executive privilege ... Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, the panel's chairman, said in a statement Wednesday that Bush's claim of executive privilege in the case is ludicrous and pledged to move ahead with a contempt citation against Mukasey ... "This... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Bush, Congress clash on spy secrets Jul 17, 2008
In a statement Wednesday, the Bush administration threatened a presidential veto in part because the bill could expose information previously protected under executive privilege such as pre-decision legal opinions, risk assessments and cost estimates. Video. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Bush bars release of Cheney's document Jul 17, 2008
He invoked executive privilege to keep that document secret, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. Bush asserted the privilege claim at the request of Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who has been under pressure from a congressional committee to turn over the transcript of Cheney's interview. (Xinhuanet, China)
U.S. House passes intelligence bill despite veto threat Jul 17, 2008
U.S. President George W. Bush threatened a veto, saying the bill violates executive privilege and a president's right to keep classified information secret ... He invoked executive privilege to keep that document secret, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. (Xinhuanet, China)
Bush claims executive privilege on CIA leak Jul 16, 2008
President Bush has asserted executive privilege to protect information that a House panel has subpoenaed on the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. The White House said Wednesday Bush had made the claim on Attorney General Michael Mukasey's recommendation. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Rove Denies Political Ties Taint Fox News Role Jul 16, 2008
"This is between the White House and Congress. This is long-standing battle over the principle of executive privilege and the ability of the president to receive advice from senior advisors and for senior advisors not to be at the beck and call of Congress to testify.". He also said that like fellow Fox News analyst Howard Wolfson, a former top strategist and communications director for Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, his job was to help viewers "better understand" the political... (Newsmax)
Rove defends subpoena defiance; Fox defends Rove Jul 15, 2008
The White House has cited executive privilege as a reason he and others who serve or served in the administration shouldn't testify, arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify. A decision on whether to pursue contempt charges now goes to the full Judiciary Committee and ultimately to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (USA Today)
Rove skips official hearing Jul 13, 2008
Lawmakers subpoenaed Mr Rove to attend the hearing, but he has refused, citing executive privilege. The president and those who work for him are allowed by law to resist certain attempts by the judicial and legislative branches of government to force them to co-operate with inquiries - this right is known as "executive privilege" ... Mr Rove claims that executive privilege allows him to skip the hearing. (BBC News -- Americas)
Rove Won't Show at House Panel Hearing, Lawyer Says Jul 13, 2008
on Wednesday to tell him his client will not appear, citing executive privilege. "I am writing to confirm that Mr. Rove will respectfully decline to appear on July 10 on the grounds that as a close advisor to the President, whose testimony is sought in connection with his official duties in that capacity, he is immune from compelled Congressional testimony," Luskin wrote. (Fox News)
Rove ignores subpoena, refuses to testify Jul 13, 2008
The White House has cited executive privilege, arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify. Rove says he is bound to follow the White House's guidance, although he has offered to answer questions specifically on the Siegelman case but only with no transcript taken and not under oath. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Congress runs out a messy clock Jul 13, 2008
July 10: Calling it a landmark legislation that is vital to the security of our people," President Bush signs a bill that overhauls rules about government eavesdropping.MSNBCPolitics updated 11:38 a.m. ET July 11, 2008WASHINGTON - Some fights of the 110th Congress have lost their oomph in the waning months before the November elections, with both parties content to run out the clock on messy matters like the war in Iraq, spending bills and various disputes with the White House.Democrats... (MSNBC -- Politics)
Congress mostly going through the motions for now Jul 13, 2008
It took mere minutes for those present to reject Bush's executive privilege claim on behalf of Rove. The lone "no" vote came from an early lame duck: ranking Republican Chris Cannon of Utah, who lost his bid for a seventh term in a primary last month. (USA Today -- News)
Price gouging: Must be election time Jul 5, 2008
They claimed executive privilege and that was the end of that. Now we see what was being discussed. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
End the nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue Jul 4, 2008
He invoked executive privilege to thwart congressional oversight investigations. Subsequently, America became The Principality of the United States. (Holbrook Sun, MA)
SUMMER FUN: Hot reads to ignite your interest Jul 3, 2008
Executive Privilege / By Philip Margolin; Harper, 358 pp. $25. (USA Today -- Life)
Congress stunned by Bush officials disdain on torture Jun 28, 2008
The Judiciary Committee is looking into whether former Justice Department official John Yoo's claim of executive privilege will fly. In the meantime, key clips of Addington's snarky responses to members of Congress are making the highlight reels. (Los Angeles Times)
Fiorina stresses need for strong leadership Jun 26, 2008
In a news conference after the speech, Fiorina was asked how her points about ethics and "transparency" in government squared with the present administration's assertion of executive privilege to prevent Congress from questioning members of the executive branch. "There are a lot of things that distinguish John McCain from President Bush," Fiorina said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Executive privilege: Jun 26, 2008
The public-relations war involving executive privilege never favors the chief executive who invokes it. It is not very difficult to persuade a public already made cynical by cor ruption in high places that executive privilege is a euphemism for more misbehavior. (NJ.com -- Times)
Letters to the Editor (June 24) Jun 26, 2008
"We have witnessed a staggering abuse of power by this president. Even former Bush Justice Department officials now charge President Bush with trampling the Constitution. Bush has claimed the prerogative to declare an endless war without congressional approval, to designate someone an enemy without cause, to proceed to wiretap them without warrant, arrest or kidnap them at will, jail them without a hearing, hold them indefinitely, interrogate them intensively (read torture), bring them to trial... (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Fired U.S. attorneys case hits judicial roadblock Jun 25, 2008
Reporter Peter Grier discusses the use of the legal doctrine "executive privilege" by US Presidents ... A federal judge on June 23 appeared very reluctant to rule on the administration's broad claim of executive privilege in the case. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Battle in court over executive privilege Federal judge says suit puts him... Jun 25, 2008
Battle in court over executive privilege / Federal judge says suit puts him in difficult position. Article:Battle in court over executive privilege / Federal judg:/c/a/2008/06/23/MN5C11DRPT.DTL Article:Battle in court over executive privilege / Federal judg:/c/a/2008/06/23/MN5C11DRPT.DTL ... Battle in court over executive privilege. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
NATO steps up Taliban attacks along Pakistan-Afghanistan border Jun 25, 2008
In today's podcast, a deadly blast in Sadr City despite the US military's efforts, where the Federal Reserve might be headed, what is executive privilege and China's pre-Olympic security preparations. . (Christian Science Monitor)
Judge challenges Bush's immunity claim Jun 24, 2008
Bush has asserted executive privilege in refusing to allow top aides, including his former political strategist Karl Rove, to testify before Congress about the US attorney dismissals ... The case may be the biggest test of a presidential assertion of executive privilege since President Nixon refused to turn over tapes of recorded Oval Office conversations to a federal grand jury investigating Watergate. (Boston Globe)
Lawsuit could be power shake-up for Obama, McCain Jun 24, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) Barack Obama and John McCain, two senators who want to become president, are trying not to pick sides in the White House's court fight with Congress over executive privilege ... He did add the caveat that, "if there are specific assertions of executive privilege, then you know those can be examined.". (AL.com)
Bush Refuses To Release EPA Documents Jun 23, 2008
Executive Privilege Cited Again Over Papers Tied To Administration's Air Quality Policies ... (AP) President Bush asserted executive privilege Friday to withhold documents from a congressional investigation into whether he pressured the Environmental Protection Agency to weaken decisions on smog and greenhouse gases ... "I don't think we've had a situation like this since Richard Nixon was president when the president of the United States may have been involved in acting contrary to law, and the... (CBS News)
Fight Over White House Subpoenas Heads to Court Jun 23, 2008
The White House says Miers and Bolten do not need to comply with the subpoenas, citing executive privilege, the principle that one branch of government can't make another branch do something. Judges normally try to stay out of disputes between the executive and legislative branches. (Newsmax)
White House invokes executive privilege on EPA investigation ... Jun 22, 2008
"I don't think we've had a situation like this since Richard Nixon was president," Congressman after the Bush administration invoked executive privilege in order to refuse to turn over subpoenaed documents in an investigation of the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to deny California permission to implement its own vehicle emission standards ... In asserting executive privilege in the EPA inquiry, the administration made public a copy of a letter sent to the president by Atty ... If... (Los Angeles Times)
Executive privilege cited in EPA dispute Jun 21, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush asserted executive privilege yesterday to withhold documents from a congressional investigation into whether he pressured EPA to weaken decisions on smog and greenhouse gases ... Waxman said he wanted to review Attorney General Michael Mukasey's rationale for the executive privilege claim before deciding what to do next ... Executive privilege, while not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, is grounded in the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers and is... (Boston Globe)
