Karl Rove Subpoenaed

In an ongoing investigation of the US Attorney firing scandal, Karl Rove was subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee in a direct effort to compel testimony over his role in the matter, and no doubt about what the White House was up to.

The subpoena was the result of a long series of denials. The House Judiciary committee requested testimony from Rove on several occasions, but the never-ending negotiations with Rove's attorneys eventually led John Conyers, the committee's chair, to issue the subpoena.

Rove may not have to testify, whether by the July 10 deadline set in the subpoena or ever. The Bush administration's tactic on subpoenas has been to claim executive privilege and shield the subpoenaed from compliance. I can't help but think that tactic won't be viable forever, though, and maybe this one will be the case that makes it.