Etcetera

That's what loopholes are for

The President has directed two white house staffers to not comply with Congressional subpoenas. He claims that this act ensures that staffers can speak freely. The President's lawyer, Fred Fielding said,

“The assertion of executive privilege here is intended to protect a fundamental interest of the presidency: the necessity that a president receive candid advice from his advisors and that those advisors be able to communicate freely and openly with the president,” Mr. Fielding wrote...

The thing is, this makes no sense.

It's true that if Congress could force staffers to testify, that might inhibit their willingness to give frank advice. But if the President has to agree to their testimony, then they have no reason to hold back in advising him.

Posted by jackhodgson at July 9, 2007 06:06 PM