US:Citing executive privilege, President George Bush yesterday rejected a subpoena for his close adviser Karl Rove to appear before the Senate judiciary committee in an inquiry over fired federal prosecutors.
Mr Bush's move sets up a possible court showdown between the White House and Democratic lawmakers, who have sought to force Mr Rove and other Bush aides to testify about the firing last year of nine federal prosecutors. Critics say they were fired for political reasons.
"Mr Rove, as an immediate presidential adviser, is immune from compelled congressional testimony about matters that arose during his tenure and that relate to his official duties in that capacity," White House counsel Fred Fielding wrote in a letter to Senate judiciary chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat. Mr Leahy made the letter available to Reuters.
"It is a shame that this White House continues to act as if it is above the law. That is wrong," Mr Leahy said. "The subpoenas authorised by this committee in connection with its investigation into the mass firings of US attorneys and the corrosion of federal law enforcement by White House political influence deserve respect and compliance."
The committee had subpoenaed Mr Rove to testify at a hearing yesterday morning, along with another White House aide, deputy political director Scott Jennings. Mr Rove would not appear at the hearing, while Mr Jennings would appear but would not testify about the fired prosecutors, Mr Fielding said. Mr Fielding also said the White House would not hand over documents requested by the committee.
Democrats say the firings may have been intended to influence investigations of politicians. Mr Bush and attorney general Alberto Gonzales, who signed off on the firings, said they were justified but mishandled.
Mr Gonzales also faces calls for a perjury investigation over the truthfulness of his testimony to Congress about the firings and the National Security Agency's warrantless domestic spying programme. With the support of Mr Bush, Mr Gonzales has rejected bipartisan calls to resign.
Mr Gonzales said in a letter to Mr Leahy he had been truthful with the committee last week when testifying about the surveillance programme, which contains elements that remain classified.
"I was discussing only that particular aspect of the NSA activities that the president has publicly acknowledged," Mr Gonzales wrote. "I recognise that . . . my shorthand reference to the 'programme' publicly 'described by the President' may have created confusion."
At least one member of the committee was unsatisfied with the explanation. "The attorney general has done far more than create confusion, he's placed his office in disrepute," New York Democratic senator Charles Schumer said. "After reading the letter, we renew our call for a special prosecutor with vigour."