by Deb Cupples | The Washington Post tells us:
"A federal prosecutor investigating the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys during the Bush administration has issued a subpoena to former senator Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) and is preparing to interview key witnesses, lawyers following the case say....
"[Last year] Inspector General Glenn A. Fine urged prosecutors to use their subpoena power to compel documents and testimony about the dismissal of New Mexico U.S. Attorney David C. Iglesias, whose pace on criminal investigations involving Democrats in the state drew complaints from Domenici and then-Rep. Heather A. Wilson (R-N.M.)."
Justice certainly does move slowly -- especially when prominent politicians self-servingly put obstacles in Justice's path.
It was spring 2007 when both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees began holding hearings about the firing of U.S. attorneys for apparently political reasons. You can read about the fired U.S. attorney scandal here. After stonewalling Congress, ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales ended up resigining -- partly over accusations that he helped politicize our nation's chief law enforcement agency.
Then there was the questionable prosecution of Don Siegelman, ex-governor of Alabama: a prosecution that seemed so politically motivated that more than 50 current and former state attorneys general from both political parties signed protested the prosecution.
If you need a refresher, check out the video at this page.
Memeorandum has commentary.
Other Buck Naked Politics Posts:
* Three Republicans Help Mess Up Stimulus Bill
* Fox Presents GOP Press Release as News Story?
* Giethner's Corporate Bailout Plan Provokes Sarcasm, Outrage...
You liberal kiddies, and your mommies and daddies and professors were all approvingly silent when Clintoon fired all 93 U.S. attorneys in '93. but your panties are all wadded over Bush's nine? Why?
Posted by: Flowerplough | February 16, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Hello Flower,
Major distinctions seem to elude you. Clinton did what most presidents, regardless of party, do when they FIRST come in: they fire all U.S. attorneys so that they can appoint new ones.
Bush didn't fire all of them, and it wasn't until 2006. He selectively fired them because 1) they weren't doing enough to protect political allies, or 2) they weren't doing enough to go after political enemies.
That's NOT what any of us should want from our nation's chief law enforcement agency, wouldn't you agree?
Posted by: Deb | February 28, 2009 at 03:31 AM