No Comment from White House on Blagojevich Motion

No Comment from White House on Blagojevich Motion

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The White House is not commenting on a motion by ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to subpoena President Barack Obama.

Blagojevich’s attorneys say there are discrepancies between the president’s public statements, and statements from other witnesses in the case.

In particular, the defense claims an unnamed “labor union official” told the government that Mr. Obama tried to get Blagojevich to appoint “Senate Candidate B,” who’s been identified as the president’s friend and advisor Valerie Jarrett. In addition, the motion says a supporter of Mr. Obama’s is alleged to have offered fundraising in exchange for Jarrett’s appointment to the seat.

Blagojevich, who insists he’s done nothing wrong, has been charged with - among other things - trying to trade the Senate appointment for personal gain. A White House spokesman declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. The president has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

The defense motion originally contained large sections that were blacked out to the public. But - apparently by mistake - those sections could easily be read on a computer.