Party Pooper: White House Invokes Separation of Powers to Block Testimony of Social Secretary

Party Pooper: White House Invokes Separation of Powers to Block Testimony of Social Secretary | Jonathan Turley

Usually privilege fights focus on testimony of White House staffers on conversations with President or military and state secrets. President Barack Obama, however, has invoked the separation of powers to block the testimony of Desiree Rogers, the White House Social Secretary, on the recent controversy over Michaele and Tareq Salahi. It appears that nothing less than Article II and the integrity of the Executive Branch is at stake in hearing from someone who arranges parties for the First Couple.

The White House is quickly trying to dampen the story by taking some blame and minimizing any unlawful conduct — clearly against the inclination of the Secret Service which was reportedly pushing for a criminal investigation. The White House issued a statement that dismissed allegations of illegality and stated that White House protocol “was either deficient or mismanaged” and that there were “honest misunderstandings and mistakes made by all parties involved.”

White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, said that it is the constitution not embarrassment that prevents Ms. Rogers from answering questions: “I think you know that, based on separation of powers, staff here don’t go to testify in front of Congress,’’ he said. “She won’t — she will not be testifying in front of Congress.’’ Read more.