Conyers asks for Karl Rove's resignation

November 12, 2003 11:17 AM

Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, has asked for Karl Rove's resignation for leaking the identity of a covert C.I.A. operative, the wife of Ambassador Joseph Wilson. (more inside)
posted by wsg (16 comments total)

Here's the letter:

Dear Mr. Rove:
I write to ask you to resign from the White House staff. Recent press reports have indicated that, while you may or may not have been the source of the Robert Novak column which revealed the status and name of a covert operative, the wife of Ambassador Joseph Wilson, you were involved in a subsequent effort to push this classified information to other reporters and give it even wider currency. This itself may be a federal crime, but regardless of that fact, your actions are morally indefensible. In my view, it is shameful and unethical that an Administration that promised to govern with "honor and integrity" and "change the tone" in Washington has now engaged in an orchestrated campaign to smear and intimidate truth-telling critics, placing them in possible physical harm and impairing the efforts and operations of the CIA.

Recent reports indicate that you told the journalist, Chris Matthews, and perhaps others, that Mr. Wilson's wife and her undercover status were "fair game." Evan Thomas and Michael Isikoff, Newsweek, Oct. 13, 2003. Since these initial allegations have arisen, neither the White House nor your office have denied your involvement in furthering the leak. Repeated press inquiries into this matter have been rebuffed with technical jargon and narrow legalisms, instead of broader ethical issues. Indeed, in the same article it appears a White House source acknowledged that you contacted Matthews and other journalists, indicating that "it was reasonable to discuss who sent Wilson to Niger."

It should be noted that these actions may well have violated 18 U.S.C. ¤ 793, which prohibits the willful or grossly negligent distribution of national defense information that could possibly be used against the United States. The law states that even if you lawfully knew of Mr. Wilson's wife's status, you were obliged to come forward and report the press leak to the proper authorities - not inflame the situation by encouraging further dissemination. 18 U.S.C. ¤ 793(f). Larger than whether any one statute can be read to find criminal responsibility is the issue of whether officials of your stature will be allowed to use their influence to intimidate whistle-blowers.

Over three decades ago, our nation was scarred by an Administration that would stop at nothing to smear and intimidate its critics. I do not believe the Nation will countenance a repeat of such activities. For your role in this campaign, I would ask that you resign immediately.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Minority Member

cc: The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
posted by wsg at 11:19 AM on November 12, 2003

An exercise in futility, I fear. If a prominant Republian repeats the call, it'll get serious media play, but the Administration doesn't even listen to its own party in Congress anymore.
posted by wendell at 11:23 AM on November 12, 2003

Considering that the letter is date Tuesday 07 October 2003 and it is now November 12, I think it is safe to say that Karl did not resign.

We now return you to the present, already in progress
posted by Outlawyr at 11:25 AM on November 12, 2003

sigh, Republican. A lesson to us all; don't forget the spell check.
posted by wendell at 11:25 AM on November 12, 2003

I wonder what could be done to get some results on this issue. Anything?
posted by orange swan at 11:30 AM on November 12, 2003

I wonder what could be done to get some results on this issue. Anything?

Not really. Just making eye contact with Karl Rove is probably a violation of the PATRIOT Act.
posted by badstone at 11:34 AM on November 12, 2003

orange swan,

I think it's important to keep the issue out in the public eye (like here at metafilter) in order to let the media and repugs know that the story is not going away and there are people who are not going to forget or shut up about it. That's why I posted it, even though the story's a month old. On the internet a month is an eternity, but in the dealings of government the wheels of progress turn slowly and a month is nothing.
posted by wsg at 11:38 AM on November 12, 2003

cool that some one has actually said something about it. Too bad nothing will happen :T
posted by Tryptophan-5ht at 11:39 AM on November 12, 2003

I think it's important to keep the issue out in the public eye

What more do you want me to do???
posted by soyjoy at 11:42 AM on November 12, 2003

Wendell: Don't forget the "change" option in spell check. Reptilian.
posted by zaelic at 11:50 AM on November 12, 2003

out in the public eye (like here at metafilter)

as much as i support your cause here - i think posting moldy links to truthout.org doesn't do a ton to support the cause other than remind the choir of last week (last months) sermon.
posted by specialk420 at 11:55 AM on November 12, 2003

We all know you've done your bit, bit, bit, bit, bit, etc. soyjoy.

I definitely agree that keeping the issue in the media is a good idea, but I was wondering about specific things that could be done.
posted by orange swan at 11:56 AM on November 12, 2003

I was wondering about specific things that could be done.

I plan to be indignant for the next 12 months and vote in the next presidential election.
posted by rocketman at 12:08 PM on November 12, 2003

Just making eye contact with Karl Rove is probably a violation of the PATRIOT Act.

Actually, whoever leaked Plame's name is the one who violated the Patriot Act.
posted by homunculus at 12:09 PM on November 12, 2003

BushAdministrationFilter
posted by alumshubby at 12:10 PM on November 12, 2003

the letter is date Tuesday 07 October 2003

christ, wsg, how about some current grist for this mill?
posted by quonsar at 12:25 PM on November 12, 2003