Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Washington, Oct. 27, 2005—Edwin Meese III, Chairman of the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Heritage Foundation, and Todd F. Gaziano, Director of the Center, today issued the following statement:

“Harriet Miers has made a selfless decision, in foregoing a potential seat on the Supreme Court to uphold important constitutional principles that serve President George W. Bush and all future Presidents.

“Yesterday, it became quite clear that the Senate would seek documents and testimony from Ms. Miers that would violate executive privilege, which is necessary for careful and sound decision-making in the White House. Such disclosures would implicate both the deliberative process and national security protections recognized by the Supreme Court in landmark executive privilege decisions. These are very serious issues for anyone who serves as White House Counsel.

“We know that Ms. Miers is personally committed to protecting the President’s privilege, not just for the sound decision-making process of this Administration, but for all future Administrations that will benefit from this essential constitutional protection.

“Now, the President must act once more to fulfill his commitment to nominate another individual who has a proven track record of fidelity to the Constitution and laws as they are written.”