House Committee: Rove Must Testify

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) sent a letter to former White House adviser Karl Rove’s attorney Monday making clear the committee expects Rove to testify at a July 10 hearing investigating the federal prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman (D) on bribery charges.

“We want to reemphasize that we expect Mr. Rove to attend the hearing,” Conyers wrote, pointing out he had not yet received and formal objection to Rove appearing.

Conyers reiterated that the committee would not accept an arrangement that Rove testify on Justice Department politicization in general but not on the Siegelman case specifically.

“Accordingly, we hope and expect that Mr. Rove will appear on July 10, when any objections to specific questions on executive privilege or other grounds can be dealt with appropriately,” Conyers said.

Rove has been accused by Siegelman and others of orchestrating federal prosecution against the former governor in order to gain political advantage. At the time of his prosecution, Siegelman was the leading Democrat in Alabama.

Siegelman served some of his prison term, but is now out on appeal.

The committee subpoenaed Rove on May 22.