It's been a very long time since I've seen principle like this in government. These guys deserve serious public plaudit.
Agreed 100%. Before I heard about the threat to withhold funding I respected and applauded their stand. Now that respect and applause are tripled.
You are seeing in action the very reason President Bush likes Alberto Gonzalez so much ... he is a man of principles first.
A President appointed member of the Executive Branch threatening to resign unless they can increase the power and authority of the Executive. Then the head of the Executive Branch (the President) "working to resolve the issue" is a little too self serving for my taste.
This is a big issue and very much a power play by the Executive Branch.
I do not like the Executive usurping the autonomy and independence of the Legislative. This is exactly what they have done in assuming the power to invade the Offices of the Legislative Branch even if in collaboration with the Judiciary.
I for one hope the House seriously fights this all the way.
They are not supposed to all be "buddies" and a working animosity and mild distrust between branches is probably a benefit to average Americans.
I also think there are plenty of ways for the Enforcement folks to acquire evidence of wrongdoing or corruption of our elected officials without 'Crossing the Rubicon" rifling the files or entering the offices of our elected officials.
Jefferson’s guilt or innocence is irrelevant. This is not about one elected person.
We have seen in the past how the lawyers in the enforcement community have "gamed" new laws choosing to pursue the best case (most egregious, least sympathetic defendant) first in order to secure a questionable “precedent” upon which to build future cases which are far less clear cut.
I can see a future Administration invading the offices of the legislative during an impeachment proceeding or critical vote.
(I use Clintoon as my low in moral and legal potentialities by the Executive)
Then we really would have a Constitutional Crisis.
That is why our Founders put our elected officials out of reach of the Executive while they are doing their appointed jobs. A circumstance which has increasingly been encroached upon by the Executive.
I am convinced this is a bad thing and portends ill for the future if allowed to stand.
Wm