JOHN DEAN Judge Bates Slams the Bush White House's Claims of Congressional Immunity: Why There May Be No Consequences for the White House, Despite the Clear Ruling FindLaw columnist and former counsel to the president John Dean comments on the recent ruling by Judge John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in the case in which the House of Representatives seeks to enforce subpoenas for testimony and documents from former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff Jonathan Bolten, in relation to the allegedly politicized firing of a series of U.S. Attorneys. Dean commends Bates for not only ruling in favor of the House, but also adopting the kind of no-nonsense tone in his opinion that sends a clear message. Dean notes, however, that despite the firmness of the opinion, the upcoming election may well end up mooting the pending subpoenas before they can be enforced.