Je suis l'etat

If there was any doubt that the White House feels it is above the law, this should pretty much take care of it:

Broader Privilege Claimed In Firings
White House Says Hill Can't Pursue Contempt Cases

Bush administration officials unveiled a bold new assertion of executive authority yesterday in the dispute over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, saying that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges initiated by Congress against White House officials once the president has invoked executive privilege.

You will recall Sen. Leahy's comments on Meet the Press at the beginning of July, when Tim Russert asked if Leahy personally would be willing to go as far as holding members of the administration in contempt, Leahy responded, "Yes, I would go that far..."

Leahy went on to say, "You have to go to the next step to see if they have a legitimate claim of executive privilege...then you invoke the contempt citation."

And then the kicker:

Russert: "Are you sure the US Attorney would prosecute?"

Leahy: "It would be very difficult for them not to"

Well, apparently the President has made that little dilemma a whole lot simpler for the DC US Attorney.

What an absolute disgrace.