WASHINGTON (AP) - The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday
subpoenaed former White House top political adviser Karl Rove to
testify about whether the White House improperly meddled with the
Justice Department.
Accusations of politics influencing decisions at the department
led to last year's resignation of former Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales.
The subpoena issued Thursday orders Rove to testify before the
House panel on July 10. He is expected to face questions about the
White House's role in firing nine U.S. attorneys in 2006 and the
prosecution of former Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama, a Democrat.
House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers had negotiated with Rove's
attorneys for more than a year over whether the former top aide to
President Bush would testify voluntarily.
"It is unfortunate that Mr. Rove has failed to cooperate with
our requests," Conyers, D-Mich., said in a statement. "Although
he does not seem the least bit hesitant to discuss these very
issues weekly on cable television and in the print news media, Mr.
Rove and his attorney have apparently concluded that a public
hearing room would not be appropriate."
"Unfortunately, I have no choice today but to compel his
testimony on these very important matters," Conyers said.
Neither Rove nor his attorney, Robert Luskin, could be
immediately reached for comment.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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