FBI director contradicts Gonzales
By LAURIE KELLMAN and LARA JAKES JORDAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The head of the FBI contradicted Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' sworn testimony Thursday, and Senate Democrats requested a perjury investigation in a fresh barrage against the truthfulness of President Bush's embattled longtime friend and aide.
In a third blow to the Bush administration, the Senate Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas to compel the testimony of Karl Rove, Bush's chief political adviser, in connection with its investigation.
"It has become apparent that the attorney general has provided at a minimum half-truths and misleading statements," four Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote in a letter to Solicitor General Paul Clement calling for a special counsel to investigate.
"I'm convinced that he's not telling the truth," added Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
The developments marked a troubling turn for Gonzales as well as the administration, which has been on the political defensive since congressional Democrats launched an investigation seven months ago into the firings of U.S. attorneys.