On Bush's Order, Miers Defies Subpeona

Posted by Philip Barron at 2:10 PM on July 11, 2007.

If George Bush could order anyone to defy a Congressional subpeona regarding the U.S. attorney firings, it would of course be Harriet Miers, whose unabashed idolatry of the president is well-established. Even given that, the defiance of Miers - who isn't even on the Bush payroll anymore - is still quite remarkable. I always shake my head when I hear people use the term "Bush Crime Family," but it certainly seems to apply here. I haven't seen a better example of the code of omerta outside of a Scorsese gangster movie.

The committee is practically obligated to respond harshly. One hopes her attorney has uttered the phrase "contempt of Congress" to Miers once or twice.

Indeed, the response to Miers' mouthpiece from Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sánchez:

A refusal to appear before the Subcommittee tomorrow could subject Ms. Miers to contempt proceedings, including but not limited to proceedings under 2 U.S.C. § 194 and under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives.

We are prepared at the hearing tomorrow to consider and rule on any specific assertions of privilege in response to specific questions. We strongly urge you to reconsider, and to advise your client to appear before the Subcommittee tomorrow pursuant to her legal obligations. The Subcommittee will convene as scheduled and expects Ms. Miers to appear as required by her subpoena.

Philip Barron is a St. Louis writer and author of the blog Waveflux.