Bush Could Block Probes Even After He Leaves Office

New York Times:

When a Congressional committee subpoenaed Harry S. Truman in 1953, nearly a year after he left office, he made a startling claim: Even though he was no longer president, the Constitution still empowered him to block subpoenas.

"If the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the presidency is to have any validity at all, it must be equally applicable to a president after his term of office has expired," Truman wrote to the committee.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[gap08]

03:54 PM on 11/19/2008

Well, love him or hate him, the time is coming near to say goodbye to George W. Bush. I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who has something to say to this President to post an open letter to GW at http://goodbye.us . This is a project to essentially create a time capsule of feelings and thoughts about the outgoing administration. So please, check it out and share!

[PT6]

04:11 PM on 11/13/2008

I am sure a few REALLY CLEVER Lawyers can find a way to bring Bush and Company to Justice!

The problem is where to start with the Bush Administration. A few are:

1. Falsified Documents for war in Iraq
2. Ignored US Constitutional requirement that Executive Branch enforce laws and regulations
3. Torture
4. Corruption of Financial System
5. Corruption in Military Contracts
6. Potential Corruption in Use of $850 Billion Bailout

I find it encouraging that high level people are talking about the subject.
That is real progress!

[PT6]

04:16 PM on 11/13/2008

Even OJ received JUSTICE!

[ScoobyDoo269]

02:20 PM on 11/13/2008

It may stop them from investigating Bush BUT NOT CHENEY!

[uvymopkq]

01:43 PM on 11/13/2008

I agree. "W" will be missed,

[fishs]

01:20 PM on 11/13/2008

Our country is in crisis for so many different reasons and the democrats want to prosecute the President. This is sad on so many levels.

[BandsofBlack]

02:12 PM on 11/13/2008

Our country is in crisis for so many different reasons BECAUSE of the Bush administration.

Reclaiming our country includes holding those responsible accountable.

[magen]

03:41 PM on 11/13/2008

Uhm, torture is ILLEGAL!!!!!!!!!!!

If you were tortured in another country would you want the people responsible prosecuted??

Me too.

[Village]

01:13 PM on 11/13/2008

Wanna bet?

[aubrey8]

12:42 PM on 11/13/2008

Bush can run but he can't hide. That sob has sold us out and he needs to pay.

[MissingAmerica]

12:38 PM on 11/13/2008

While it's true the new administration has too many problems to solve. it would seem that there is enough credible information out there, documentation to prove that Bush overstepped his authority. It would also seem that if criminal acts were committed, that would overstep any authority Bush took as president. After all, he wasn't hired to a position of "Criminal-in-Chief". He was hired as an executive. If an executive commits a criminal act, the prosecution of criminal acts takes precedence over any executive authority. Likewise, if a president commits criminal acts, especially crimes against humanity, and those crimes are exposed, he should be treated as a criminal rather than given respect and immunity as a president. Bush has not earned our respect, nor has he earned immunity. Over 4,000 of our finest are dead, parts of our country lie in ruin, our economy is a shambles, and the world has suffered for this, and this administration's complicity has been documented. There should be no immunity from prosecution, even for an ex-president.

[UltraClassic]

12:38 PM on 11/13/2008

Every moment spent chasing the Bush ghost will be a moment lost working on the problems this country faces.

[Gumby123]

01:38 PM on 11/13/2008

Quite true.

[BandsofBlack]

04:57 PM on 11/13/2008

The pursuit of justice and holding those responsible is an equally important step in reclaiming our country.

[lawmichigander]

12:01 PM on 11/13/2008

No he can't. The Office of the President stays where it is at, when a new President comes in they are the President, the old President holder is just Mr. such and such. President Obama can do whatever he wants with it and as a Constitutional LAw Professor he knows that.

[wadenelson1]

11:39 AM on 11/13/2008

My friends with the UFO have a probe he won't be able to block.

[rollingdivision]

11:26 AM on 11/13/2008

Bring in every possible Bush administration official and grill them all, trials convictions and prison.

[Berham]

11:24 AM on 11/13/2008

I think this will be interestingly difficult for the Republicans and their party for future elections if Bush and his administration continue to ignore the law and not show up before congressional hearings. They have nearly destroyed this country and to continue to do so beyond 2009 is stupid and sure to produce continue defeat among the Republican Party.

[robeson]

11:23 AM on 11/13/2008

Didn't the Scalia ruling with the Bill Clinton subpoena change law?

[ChiGuy]

11:11 AM on 11/13/2008

It's going to be interesting to see how this all unfolds.

One thing is for certain: If Bush does try to block things, he will reveal to that twenty some-odd percent who inexplicably still believe in him, that he was up to no good and wants them to remain in the dark.