More On The "House Cleaning" At Justice
A couple of weeks ago, I posted on the administration's forcing out of several US Attorneys in a move akin to Nixon's Saturday Night Massacre. The Senate is now looking into these firings, and even Justice Department officials admit that at least some of the ousted US Attorneys may have been the victims of politics. From today's NY Times:
A top Justice Department official said on Tuesday that one of several United States attorneys forced from their jobs last year was dismissed without a specific cause in order to give the job to a lawyer with close political ties to the White House. ...
At the hearing, Mr. McNulty was asked by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, whether it was accurate to say that Mr. Cummins had not done anything wrong to justify his removal. Mr. McNulty replied, “I do not dispute that characterization.”
Had Mr. Cummins ever received a poor performance evaluation, Mr. Schumer asked.
Mr. McNulty answered, “I’m not aware of anything negative.”
Mr. McNulty said that because the attorneys are presidential appointees, they can be replaced at any time without a specific reason. He said about half of the 93 prosecutors appointed to their jobs by Mr. Bush in his first term had already left voluntarily. Mr. McNulty said the appointment of Mr. Griffin was a chance for “a fresh start with a new person.” [Emphasis added]
It turns out that the administration is taking advantage of more than the traditional presidential right to appoint the US attorneys. The last Congress made it easier for such removals and for temporary appointments that will serve indefinitely without Senate confirmation.
Behind the debate about forced dismissals is a dispute over language approved last year as part of legislation renewing the antiterrorism statute known as the USA Patriot Act.
In the past, the law permitted the Justice Department to name an interim United States attorney, but only for 120 days, when a federal judge would name a substitute to serve until a presidential nominee was confirmed.
The change approved last year permitted the Justice Department to name temporary replacements for an indefinite period. Several senators said Democrats and Republicans were discussing a compromise to return to the earlier procedures. [Emphasis added]
Justice apparently is also considered pre-9/11.
How quaint.
A top Justice Department official said on Tuesday that one of several United States attorneys forced from their jobs last year was dismissed without a specific cause in order to give the job to a lawyer with close political ties to the White House. ...
At the hearing, Mr. McNulty was asked by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, whether it was accurate to say that Mr. Cummins had not done anything wrong to justify his removal. Mr. McNulty replied, “I do not dispute that characterization.”
Had Mr. Cummins ever received a poor performance evaluation, Mr. Schumer asked.
Mr. McNulty answered, “I’m not aware of anything negative.”
Mr. McNulty said that because the attorneys are presidential appointees, they can be replaced at any time without a specific reason. He said about half of the 93 prosecutors appointed to their jobs by Mr. Bush in his first term had already left voluntarily. Mr. McNulty said the appointment of Mr. Griffin was a chance for “a fresh start with a new person.” [Emphasis added]
It turns out that the administration is taking advantage of more than the traditional presidential right to appoint the US attorneys. The last Congress made it easier for such removals and for temporary appointments that will serve indefinitely without Senate confirmation.
Behind the debate about forced dismissals is a dispute over language approved last year as part of legislation renewing the antiterrorism statute known as the USA Patriot Act.
In the past, the law permitted the Justice Department to name an interim United States attorney, but only for 120 days, when a federal judge would name a substitute to serve until a presidential nominee was confirmed.
The change approved last year permitted the Justice Department to name temporary replacements for an indefinite period. Several senators said Democrats and Republicans were discussing a compromise to return to the earlier procedures. [Emphasis added]
Justice apparently is also considered pre-9/11.
How quaint.
Labels: Cronyism
posted by Diane at 9:45 AM
1 Comments:
san diego US attorney carol lam was forced to resign. this is a city awash in military contractor money. wonder if this was a move meant to protect rep. duncan hunter.
-jello
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