Ruling: White House Aides Not Immune From Congressional Subpoenas

July 31, 2008— -- A federal court ruled today that top White House aides are not immune from congressional subpoenas, a decision that is likely to reignite the investigation into politicization at the Justice Department.

In a 93-page ruling, U.S. District Judge John Bates wrote there was no legal basis for the Bush administration's claim that executive privilege protects former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten from congressional oversight.

"Presidential autonomy, such as it is, cannot mean that the executive's actions are totally insulated from scrutiny by Congress," Bates wrote. "That would eviscerate Congress's historical oversight function."

For months, the White House has pushed back congressional efforts to force top aides to testify about who made the decision to abruptly fire nine U.S. Attorneys in 2006. But after months of public spats, subpoenas and a court battle, today's ruling ordered that Miers appear before Congress, though she can still refuse to answer questions on a case by case basis.

The ruling also said that Bolten should turn over a more complete log of White House documents related to the investigation.

Congressional Democrats welcomed the decision, calling it a ringing endorsement of the principle that nobody is above the law.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called it "very good news for anyone who believes in the Constitution of the United States and the separation of powers, and checks and balances."

The administration can appeal the decision. White House spokesman Tony Fratto and Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said they were reviewing the opinion and declined immediate comment.

Democrats pledged to call Miers before the Judiciary Committee as soon as September to testify about whether the White House played any role in the firings.

Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said he hoped that Miers and Bolten do not appeal the ruling, but that was far from clear.

Nonetheless, Conyers signaled election-season hearings will be held on the controversy that scandalized the Justice Department.