(March 20, 2007)--President Bush warned Democrats Tuesday to accept his offer to allow top aides to privately speak about the firings of federal prosecutors, and not under oath.
The president says the White House "will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition."
The White House counsel is offering to arrange private interviews with congressional committees investigating the firing of eight federal prosecutors, but Democratic Senator Charles Schumer says he still will press for White House aides to testify under oath.
The White House made the offer after the Senate voted overwhelmingly to end the Bush administration's ability to fill US attorney vacancies unilaterally.
Earlier Tuesday Mr. Bush made a supportive phone call to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who has faced pressure from both parties to resign over the firing of the prosecutors.
bush aides 03.20.07
