By WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Barack Obama has never shown much of an appreciation for the separation of powers. At an event in Argentina in March the president said he found it very frustrating ... that power is distributed across a lot of different institutions.
But suddenly hes invoking the separation of powers to stop his national security aide from testifying to a congressional panel.
The New York Times magazine recently revealed that White House adviser Ben Rhodes bragged about creating an echo chamber among news media to confirm the administrations bogus narrative in support of the Iran nuclear deal.
It contained many lies about what the deal contained and how it was negotiated. By manipulating journalists the administration misled the public. It was deliberate calculated and of course dangerous dishonesty.
As weve
noted this episode is an indictment of the media which Obama has played like a well-tuned Stradivarius since before he became president. Reporters pathetically grateful for access to high-ranking White House officials and susceptible to flattery (Rhodes offered both in abundance) willingly parroted the administrations talking points.
Rhodes and the White House are trying to limit the damage done by the Times story. Rhodes insists the White House wasnt trying to spin the nuclear deal but simply push out facts. This Tuesday he brushed off criticism saying his behavior is just what happens in Washington.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz invited Rhodes to testify to his House Oversight Committee. But after initially suggesting he might appear Rhodes declined. White House counsel Neil Eggleston sent a letter to Chaffetz claiming that Rhodes appearance would create significant constitutional concerns rooted in the separation of powers.
Citing executive privilege Eggleston said an appearance by Rhodes would threaten the independence and autonomy of the president. This was strange given White House spokesman Josh Earnests claim four days earlier that Rhodes refusal to appear had nothing to do with executive privilege.
It is telling that Rhodes felt free to brag to reporters about manipulating them on an important national security issue but when Congress wants to talk to him about it it suddenly becomes a matter of grave constitutional concern. As Chaffetz tweeted on Monday about Rhodes: Talks to reporters and his echo chamber but not Congress. Disappointing but typical.
