CHAPEL HILL (AP) -- John Edwards is calling on President Bush to fire political adviser Karl Rove if he won't testify under oath about alleged illegal activity within the executive branch.

The Democratic presidential contender accuses Rove of working with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to play politics within the Department of Justice. Congressional Democrats are investigating whether politics played an improper role in the firing of eight US attorneys.

In a written statement, Edwards says the Department of Justice has been turned into what he calls "the Department of Political Payback."

The US Office of Special Counsel has also launched a probe into allegations that executive branch employees violated federal laws by using their positions to advocate for the Republican Party.

White House Counsel Fred Fielding has refused to allow congressional investigators to question Rove under oath or on the record.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)