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Bush set for showdown over aides | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Key White House aides could be made to testify under oath about the firing of federal prosecutors, after a panel in Congress voted to authorise subpoenas. | |
The move could set up a constitutional showdown with the White House, which has vowed to resist such moves. | The move could set up a constitutional showdown with the White House, which has vowed to resist such moves. |
President George W Bush says he will only allow the aides to speak privately, and not under oath. | President George W Bush says he will only allow the aides to speak privately, and not under oath. |
Congress wants to question Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, as well as Mr Bush's former lawyer. | Congress wants to question Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, as well as Mr Bush's former lawyer. |
Critics say last year's sacking of the eight attorneys was politically motivated. | |
Mr Bush's Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, has faced calls to resign over the dismissals. | Mr Bush's Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, has faced calls to resign over the dismissals. |
The president has thus far stood by Mr Gonzales, a long-time confidant from their days in Texas before they came to Washington together. | The president has thus far stood by Mr Gonzales, a long-time confidant from their days in Texas before they came to Washington together. |
Private offer | Private offer |
Mr Gonzales says the prosecutors were dismissed because their performances were below standard. | Mr Gonzales says the prosecutors were dismissed because their performances were below standard. |
Congressional investigations have found that Mr Bush's former counsel, Harriet Miers, proposed firing all 93 US attorneys nationwide in 2005. | Congressional investigations have found that Mr Bush's former counsel, Harriet Miers, proposed firing all 93 US attorneys nationwide in 2005. |
Mr Gonzales is fighting to hold onto his job | Mr Gonzales is fighting to hold onto his job |
One of the sacked attorneys was replaced by a former aide to Mr Rove. | One of the sacked attorneys was replaced by a former aide to Mr Rove. |
Mr Bush said on Tuesday that Congress should accept his offer to let his aides testify privately, without oath or transcript. | Mr Bush said on Tuesday that Congress should accept his offer to let his aides testify privately, without oath or transcript. |
He vowed to resist any order, or subpoena, for them to testify in public, saying presidential aides would be compromised if they feared having to justify themselves publicly. | He vowed to resist any order, or subpoena, for them to testify in public, saying presidential aides would be compromised if they feared having to justify themselves publicly. |
"We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honourable public servants," Mr Bush said. | "We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honourable public servants," Mr Bush said. |
On Wednesday White House counsel Dan Bartlett told National Public Radio that any subpoena would be refused by the administration. | On Wednesday White House counsel Dan Bartlett told National Public Radio that any subpoena would be refused by the administration. |
He added such a move would lead the White House to withdraw its offer of private testimony. | He added such a move would lead the White House to withdraw its offer of private testimony. |
The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the House demand for testimony under oath sets up a constitutional battle between the president and Congress which could end up in the Supreme Court. | The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the House demand for testimony under oath sets up a constitutional battle between the president and Congress which could end up in the Supreme Court. |
Democrats' anger | Democrats' anger |
The criticism of Mr Gonzales began with the Democrats who now control Congress, but some Republicans have joined the chorus. | The criticism of Mr Gonzales began with the Democrats who now control Congress, but some Republicans have joined the chorus. |
US ATTORNEYS 93 nationwideServe at the discretion of the president, with the approval of the SenateProsecute criminal cases brought by the governmentProsecute or defend civil cases in which the government is a partyCollect debts owed to the government Source: US Department of Justice | US ATTORNEYS 93 nationwideServe at the discretion of the president, with the approval of the SenateProsecute criminal cases brought by the governmentProsecute or defend civil cases in which the government is a partyCollect debts owed to the government Source: US Department of Justice |
The Senate voted overwhelmingly - and with bipartisan support - on Tuesday to strip Mr Gonzales of the power to appoint US attorneys without its consent. | The Senate voted overwhelmingly - and with bipartisan support - on Tuesday to strip Mr Gonzales of the power to appoint US attorneys without its consent. |
And the vote on Wednesday authorising the use of subpoenas to compel White House officials to testify passed on a voice vote with no dissent. | And the vote on Wednesday authorising the use of subpoenas to compel White House officials to testify passed on a voice vote with no dissent. |
Critics of the prosecutor firings - including some of the prosecutors themselves - say they were removed for investigating Republican officials or failing to investigate alleged vote fraud in support of Democrats. | Critics of the prosecutor firings - including some of the prosecutors themselves - say they were removed for investigating Republican officials or failing to investigate alleged vote fraud in support of Democrats. |