A victory for rule of law

A judge ruled today that White House aides cannot ignore Congressional subpoenas, but even more significantly, told the Bush Administration that courts, not the President, determine the extent of executive privilege. 

In essence, Judges Bates held that whatever immunity from Congressional subpoenas that executive branch officials might enjoy, it is not “absolute.” And in any event, he said, it is up to the courts, not the executive branch, to determine the scope of its immunity in particular cases.

Hooray for checks and balances!