WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House Judiciary Committee on Monday filed a lawsuit against White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers aimed at forcing them to provide information about the firings of nine U.S. attorneys.

The White House promptly labeled the suit "partisan theater."
The suit follows Attorney General Michael Mukasey's announcement last month that the Justice Department would not pursue criminal contempt charges against Miers and Bolten over their refusal to testify or provide documents to the House Judiciary Committee.

In a 36-page filing, attorneys for the House asked the U.S. District Court in Washington to compel Miers "forthwith to appear and testify before the committee" and to "enjoin Ms. Miers and Mr. Bolten forthwith to produce to the committee ... all responsive documents."
The filing said the documents demanded are "critical to the investigation" of White House political involvement in the firings.

The democrats involved in this are to be commended for their courage. Trying to restore the rule of law is far more than just "partisan theater." Indeed the patience shown, over many months, before taking this extraordinary step has been remarkable. I'm not optimistic this new action will bring the desired results, but it's certainly worth a shot.

It's too bad that more democrats aren't willing to entertain the possibility of impeachment proceedings against this unlawful regime in the White House. Now that's some partisan theater I'd be happy to watch!