Time For Charges Against Rove

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee released 6,000 pages of documents and testimony regarding its investigation into the White House involvement in the political firings of several United States Attorneys. The documents show that Karl Rove was involved in the mess as early as 2005.

There are at least two e-mails from Rove's aide demanding the dismissal of New Mexico U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. Even Harriet Miers, White House counsel, sent an e-mail saying a decision had been made (from inside the White House) to fire Iglesias. Miers also testified before the committee that Karl Rove had called her from New Mexico saying Iglesias was "a serious problem and he wanted something done about it."

If this is not a smoking gun, it is one that reeks of gunpowder. Because Iglesias was not fired for a poor job performance. He had nothing by top job review rankings from his superiors in the Justice Department. No, he was fired because he brought his cases, especially voting rights cases, according to law instead of according to political reasons, as the White House wanted.

There is no doubt that Karl Rove broke the law by ordering the firing of Iglesias and others in the Justice Department. Harriet Miers and others in the White House are also guilty (and most probably Bush too).

Charges should be brought against Karl Rove and the others. The Bush administration broke the law. If they are not brought to justice for it, then all future presidents (of both parties) will be able to do the same. We must make the past right to keep the future right.