When Waxman Subpoenas Karl Rove (Or, When Harry Met Karly)

[CorpGovActivist]

In Washington, DC, the question is already being whispered: "Will Chairman Waxman seek to subpoena Karl Rove to testify in the leak case investigation?"

I'm going to go ahead and put my marker down squarely on "Yes," and I invite other DUers to join me in making a safe bet.

Earlier this week, Waxman renewed "old" materials relating to his efforts - while in the minority - to hold Rove accountable:

http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1205

Take the time to follow the documents and links, which include:

* Fact Sheet: Karl Rove’s Nondisclosure Agreement: http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20050722112741-08280.pdf

* Letter to Special Prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald: http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070308134201-02108.pdf

That series of screams you're hearing from the White House? Alberto Gonzales, reprising the role of Meg Ryan, screaming, "No! No! Executive privilege! No! No! Pardon!"

; )

- Dave

P.S. Scooter Libby, from the next table, pipes up, "I'll have what he's having."

[babylonsister]

1. I'm a definite 'yes', too,

And giddy at the prospect! :woohoo:

[CorpGovActivist]

4. A No-Win Situation for the White House and White House Counsel's Office

If they refuse to make Karl available, it reinforces the perception that there's more to the story.

If they make him available, he won't be able to have last-minute recollections, and Waxman's staff will be armed to the teeth with documents to impeach his credibility on the fly.

- Dave

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Go Waxman!!! A True Democrat!!!

We can probably count the rest on one or two hands.

[madokie]

3. count me in

Representative Waxman takes his oath of office seriously and it dictates that he do whats right

[SalmonChantedEvening]

5. "I'll take ten pounds on Danaher's nose!!"

Sorry, wrong movie :rofl:

:popcorn: :beer:

[DKRC]

7. Rove's gonna look like Danaher

after the fight when Waxman gets through with him!:evilgrin:

[PerfectSage]

6. The Donald to Turd Blossom: You're Fired!!!!

Looks like Rove is gonna get fired.
Any chance Rove weasel his way out?

With Rove gone the 2 "right hand man's" are gone.
:)

[Blackhatjack]

8. I predict Rove's subpoena will trigger the blanket pardons ......

... and it will have to be everyone, Cheney/Libby/Rove/Rumsfeld/Armitage etc. not just Libby.

So that means that Cheney and Rove will have to resign office to get their pardons. (Regarding Cheney, can you say health problems?)

Mix in a new war with Iran at the same time, and you have the all out chaos that Bush needs to suffocate efforts to get to the bottom of this.

THere is no doubt that Waxman will have the goods on them, but circumstances will focus attention on even worse matters ie. War on Iran.

[Cleita]

9. Although resignations should get rid of them, it didn't get rid

of Rumsfeld. He still has an office in the Pentagon and just has gone underground. If the rest of the cabal resign, hoping for pardons, they can lie low to come back another day, or retire in the bahamas with all their loot.

I want them all tried and convicted without exception. It will be the only way to get rid of this criminal shadow government that has been running our Constitutional government covertly for good.

[cassiepriam]

10. Most likely Rove will figure a way to wiggle out of it, just like he did with Fitz.

Made up a fake email to get himself off the hook.

[CTyankee]

11. What? Please elaborate, I didn't hear about this!

I want to know every juicy detail!

[cassiepriam]

16. Rove was going to be indicted, but at the last minute he hands over to Fitz an

email from a reporter. This somehow let him off the hook.

I am of the belief he fabricated the email.

I know it is more complicated than this but that is the short version.

[CTyankee]

19. well, that's interesting! Thanks! n/t

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

12. (Or when HENRY met KARLY)

Our majority leader in the Senate is a Harry.

It's Henry Waxman.

[glitch]

17. Harry is a nickname for Henry so it still works even if Waxman doesn't go by it. nt

[Subdivisions]

13. On Non-Disclosure....

http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20050722112741-08280.pdf
(Thanks Dave!)

KARL ROVE’S NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

Executive Order 12958 governs how federal employees are awarded security clearances in order to obtain access to classified information. It was last updated by President George W. Bush on March 25, 2003, although it has existed in some form since the Truman era. The executive order applies to any entity within the executive branch that comes into possession of classified information, including the White House. It requires employees to undergo a criminal background check, obtain training on how to protect classified information, and sign a “Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement,” also known as a SF-312, promising not to reveal classified information. The nondisclosure agreement signed by White House officials such as Mr. Rove states: “I will never divulge classified information to anyone” who is not authorized to receive it.

THE PROHIBITION AGAINST “CONFIRMING” CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Mr. Rove, through his attorney, has raised the implication that there is a distinction between releasing classified information to someone not authorized to receive it and confirming classified information from someone not authorized to have it. In fact, there is no such distinction under the nondisclosure agreement Mr. Rove signed.

Armitage signed the same SF-312 agreement and then had the now infamous taped conversation with Woodard in which he reveals Mrs. Wilson's identity as well as her function as a CIA agent. We've all actually heard Armitage saying that shit to Woodward! Now, maybe I'm having a brain-fart or something but has Armitage been held accountable for this act of treason or been made to suffer in any way as a result of revealing a State secret to Woodard who was "not authorized to receive it"?

I mean, has my recently aquired employment left me with so little time that I missed something this hugh!!11! If so, I'm so screwn!!!11! If I missed something that big, then I fear I might become one of "them"....

An average American.

YIKES!

I mean, my ole lady already has me expending some of our "together time" watching American Idol and Survivor for crying-out-loud! What's next? I'll submit to the anxiety and sense of impending doom that lies just below the surface and allow myself to be mesmerized by the likes of James Dobson and Pat Robertson and begin to blindly follow my leaders, questioning them not?

Hell, all I would be then is a full-on moran!

But seriously:

One of the most basic rules of safeguarding classified information is that an official who has signed a nondisclosure agreement cannot confirm classified information obtained by a reporter. In fact, this obligation is highlighted in the “briefing booklet” that new security clearance recipients receive when they sign their nondisclosure agreements:
Before … confirming the accuracy of what appears in the public source, the signer of the SF 312 must confirm through an authorized official that the information has, in fact, been declassified. If it has not, … confirmation of its accuracy is also an unauthorized disclosure.

THE INDEPENDENT DUTY TO VERIFY THE CLASSIFIED STATUS OF INFORMATION

Mr. Rove’s attorney has implied that if Mr. Rove learned Ms. Wilson’s identity and occupation from a reporter, this somehow makes a difference in what he can say about the information. This is inaccurate. The executive order states: “Classified information shall not be declassified automatically as a result of any unauthorized disclosure of identical or similar information.”

Mr. Rove was not at liberty to repeat classified information he may have learned from a reporter. Instead, he had an affirmative obligation to determine whether the information had been declassified before repeating it. The briefing booklet is explicit on this point: “before disseminating the information elsewhere … the signer of the SF 312 must confirm through an authorized official that the information has, in fact, been declassified.

So, correct me if I'm wrong. Mr. Rove's attorney has admitted that Mr. Rove did indeed disclose a State secret to a reporter who was "not authorized to receive it". Too wit, why does Mr. Rove still have a security clearance and why does he still have a key to the White House? For your lawyer to say that you broke the law and commited a treasonous act kinda sorta says you're fucked. And ignorance is not an excuse.

“NEGLIGENT” DISCLOSURE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Mr. Rove’s attorney has also implied that Mr. Rove’s conduct should be at issue only if he intentionally or knowingly disclosed Ms. Wilson’s covert status. In fact, the nondisclosure agreement and the executive order require sanctions against security clearance holders who “knowingly, willfully, or negligently” disclose classified information.6 The sanctions for such a breach include “reprimand, suspension without pay, removal, termination of classification authority, loss or denial of access to classified information, or other sanctions.”7

THE WHITE HOUSE OBLIGATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12958

Under the executive order, the White House has an affirmative obligation to investigate and take remedial action separate and apart from any ongoing criminal investigation. The executive order specifically provides that when a breach occurs, each agency must “take appropriate and prompt corrective action.”8 This includes a determination of whether individual employees improperly disseminated or obtained access to classified information.

The executive order further provides that sanctions for violations are not optional. The executive order expressly provides: “Officers and employees of the United States Government … shall be subject to appropriate sanctions if they knowingly, willfully, or negligently … disclose to unauthorized persons information properly classified.”

There is no evidence that the White House complied with these requirements.

Yet, still, there he is.

Well, if the White House won't put a boot in his ass...GO WAXMAN!

[Laurab]

14. Alberto seems to be in a bit of trouble himself....

I hope it's getting very warm for him. It is a no-win for the WH, and I think Congressman Waxman surely WILL subpoena Rover. He's been waiting a long time - it will be interesting to see if they do cry "Executive privilege". I don't doubt they would, except for the fact that the heat is on all of them as it is...

Interesting times!

[KoKo]

15. Waxman has been collecting, catagorizing and sending his letter "seeking info"

since Chimp stole the Election. Hopefully with a full staff now and subpoena power the job he has to do will be far easier than if a lesser detail oriented person was in charge. He's got ALL THE GROUND WORK LAID OUT! They might not want to push Impeachment and still be hoping that "curbs" are the answer. But, if the House would go further then Waxman has the documentation and the investigation will be made far easier because of his diligence and attention to detail and appropriate "notification" to the "Unitary President" and his Crime Family that they were "UNDER SURVEILLANCE" and one day would be held accountable.

Would that we had more Waxman's and less bloviators in our House and Senate. But I have higher hopes for the House Members (with the Progressive and Black Caucus) than I do for the Senate.

Thanks for all this info. It's a good read to refresh memory of what he's been doing to earn his pay and serve the people.

[KoKo]

20. Kick! for Waxman waiting for the "Rat Bastards" ....! n/t

[fooj]

18. Waxman and Conyers have been lying in wait for these rat bastards!

I'll put my money on BLUE...It's all about Congressman Waxman! He doesn't take any shit from anyone. That man and his staff have my utmost respect and gratitude for all of the hard work they have put in to round these treasonous traitors up and hold them accountable.

[mod mom]

21. Done, and forwarded to through my networks.

Sounds like another BFEE clusterf#@!