WASHINGTON D.C. (YBH.ME) - The separation of powers doctrine has kept under-fire White House social secretary Desiree Rogers from testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee in regard to the State dinner gatecrasher flap on November 24. The ranking Republican on the committee, Representative Peter King, characterized her absence as “stonewalling.”
Rogers Derelict in Hosting Duty?
Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan has taken full responsibility for letting the would-be Bravo reality stars Tareq and Michaele Salahi slip through without an invitation. Three Secret Service officers stationed at the post through which the couple entered have been put on administrative leave.
There has been conjecture that General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt, a major Obama campaign contributor on the guest list that night, might have slipped the two in, possibly aided by a White House staffer. General Electric owns NBC and Bravo TV.
Desiree Rogers is a Chicago socialite by way of New Orleans, much plugged in to the Chicago machine’s Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s go-to pal and mentor. Rogers, 49, is recently divorced from Ariel Fund CEO John Rogers. As a Chicago hostess and fundraiser, she cut a figure as a fashion plate and thrower of A list parties. Relishing her White House status, Rogers, at events, has notably strolled for the press photographers rather than greet guests on behalf of the First Lady, as has heretofore been the protocol.
The question the investigating committee and others have is: was her lack of oversight at the recent dinner an accidental or deliberate slip?
