This morning, the United States Congress is wearing the footprint of George W. Bush on its back.

Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee forced Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States, to admit that President George W. Bush himself had blocked an investigation into the illegal warrantless wiretapping program to spy on Americans’ emails and telephone calls. President Bush denied security clearances to the investigators, so they simply had no information whatsoever to work with.

In essence, Bush created a coverup.

Siobhan Gorman, a reporter at the Baltimore Sun, writes that “Gonzales would not say why the clearances were denied, but White House press secretary Tony Snow told reporters that the president felt the review by the Office of Professional Responsibility was unnecessary… University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias said that even if Congress were to pass a law requiring the Justice Department office to investigate the program, Bush would likely argue that his constitutional war powers allow him to block the probe.”

Since when does George W. Bush have the prerogative to defy a Justice Department inquiry ordered by the Congress into whether he has broken the law? President Bush is legally required to submit to congressional oversight of his activities. By thwarting this investigation, George W. Bush defied the Constitution, by refusing to allow congressional oversight.

This is no small matter. It is a constitutional crisis. Professor Tobias is right. Every time that anyone tries to make President Bush accountable under the law, Bush merely cites his war powers as an excuse, as if he is above the law.

The President is not above the law. The President is not above the power of Congress, either.

So, if this crisis is to be resolved, and America is not to descend into presidential dictatorship, it is up to the Congress to put things right. It is now time for Congress to subpoena the President to testify under oath, and impeach him if he refuses to comply.