A long-standing Weekend Watchdog question is why Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., hadn’t exercised his authority to issue a subpoena to Karl Rove and other White House officials and their role in the Prosecutor Purge.

Since then, several staffers have been subpoenaed. But today, Leahy finally subpoenaed Rove and his deputy.

Why has it taken this long? Leahy’s speech on the Senate floor indicates his team was patiently collecting evidence to justify taking this step: