Politics | Michael Mukasey Executive Privilege Goes to Court Ruling in lawmakers' challenge could cement power grab By Nick McMaster Posted Apr 25, 2008 9:48 PM CDT Copied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo) The civil suit brought by Congress as it investigates the 2005-06 firings of US attorneys is becoming a groundbreaking constitutional tussle that could decide the true scope of executive privilege. The precedent that could be set in the ruling from a US district court is now more significant than the truth behind the firings, Mother Jones reports. If a judge decides Congress has no right to pursue in civil court contempt citations against two Bush administration officials, it will close that avenue permanently, essentially cementing the executive power grab. Things are muddier if there's a ruling: The White House could try to "run out the clock" by extending appeals past the current government's expiration date in January—leaving matters unresolved. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. See the best BBQ cities in the US. Report an error