White House invokes separation of powers clause to protect Obama's social secretary

Washington, Dec.3 (ANI): The White House on Wednesday invoked the separation of powers to keep Desiree Rogers, President Obama's social secretary, from testifying on Capitol Hill about how a couple of aspiring reality television show celebrities crashed a state dinner for the Indian Prime Minister last week.

"I think you know that, based on separation of powers, staff here don't go to testify in front of Congress,'' The New York Times quoted Obama's press secretary, Robert Gibbs, as telling reporters during his regular briefing.

"She won't - she will not be testifying in front of Congress,'' he added.

Gibbs also said the flap over the unauthorized intruders has prompted the White House to change its procedures.

From now on, a representative of the social secretary's office will be stationed at Secret Service checkpoints for major social events in case questions arise.

The White House deputy chief of staff, Jim Messina, conducted a review and issued a directive to the staff.

The memo was the first admission by the White House of failures on the part of its own staff, and it came as scrutiny intensified on the social office and Ms. Rogers, its director.

The House Homeland Security Committee is conducting a hearing on Thursday into the security lapse. (ANI)