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Beware Congressional Immunity for Rove and Others

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Wed Jul 27, 2005 at 11:04:43 AM EST
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Wayne Madsen reports:

Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, announced that his commitee will be "reviewing" the criminal probe by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald of the White House leak of the identities of covert CIA agents. If Roberts is serious and not just grandstanding, this may indicate that the White House is looking to give Fitzgerald's targets (Karl Rove, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and others) congressional general immunity from prosecution in return for their testimony before Roberts' committee. This was the method by which John Poindexter and Oliver North were able to avoid jail time for their roles in Iran-contra, their convictions being overturned by a federal appeals court because of their previously granted congressional immunity.

Last Night in Little Rock warned about this weeks ago, in the context of a hearing being requested by Rep. Henry Waxman. So did Peter G in comments here.

John Dean wrote this column on the topic back in 2004.

Update: Joe Conasen writes in the New York Observer that the Right is getting ready to slime Fitzgerald:

Circled in a bristling perimeter around the White House, the friends and allies of Mr. Rove can soon be expected to fire their rhetorical mortars at Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor investigating the White House exposure of C.I.A. operative Valerie Wilson. Indeed, the preparations for that assault began months ago in the editorial columns of The Wall Street Journal, which has tarred Mr. Fitzgerald as a “loose cannon” and an “unguided missile.”

Evidently Senator Pat Roberts, the Kansas Republican who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, will lead the next foray against the special prosecutor. This week the Senator’s press office announced his plan to hold hearings on the Fitzgerald probe. That means interfering with an “ongoing investigation,” as the White House press secretary might say, but such considerations won’t deter the highly partisan Kansan.

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    Beware Congressional Immunity for Rove and Others | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: Beware Congressional Immunity for Rove and Oth (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:40 PM EST
    This has been a growing tactic of the right. Even Mehlman wouldn't vow to back Fitzgerald's findings on Meet the Press. I guess they figure if anything they will launch a small attack in hopes to change Fitzgerald's outcome, then if it doesn't seem that it is working they will make it a larger attack in hopes to destroy his career. link

    Re: Beware Congressional Immunity for Rove and Oth (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:41 PM EST
    Everytime I think some slimy Repuglican is finally going to get their comeuppance they find a way to slither away unharmed. And then the people of this country will vote for the corrupt f$%kers again. Incredible! And goons like BB,ED, RA, that Robertson guy who posts here, et al. will go on about how messed up "liberals" are and then turn around and congratulate some duplicitous turd blossom for endangering our country more by outing a NOC in the CIA. And yes, VP was a covert agent.

    Beware Congressional Immunity for Rove and Others | 2 comments (2 topical)