Bush refuses to supply subpoenaed documents on controversial firings

US PRESIDENT George W Bush, moving toward a constitutional showdown with Congress, asserted executive privilege yesterday and rejected lawmakers’ demands for documents that could shed light on the firings of federal prosecutors.

Bush’s attorney told Congress the White House would not turn over subpoenaed documents for former presidential counsel Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor. Congressional panels want the documents for their investigations of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ stewardship of the Justice Department.

The Democratic chairmen of the two committees seeking the documents accused Bush of disdain for the law, and said they would press forward with enforcing the subpoenas.