Bush Nominates Mukasey as AG
Updated: President Bush formally announced this morning that he is nominating retired federal judge Michael B. Mukasey to become attorney general.
Bush told reporters at this morning’s press conference that Mukasey is “clear-eyed” to the terrorist threat. Bush and Mukasey’s complete remarks were published in a White House press release.
“He knows what it takes to fight this war effectively and he knows how to do it in a manner consistent with our laws and our Constitution,” Bush said, according to the Associated Press.
Mukasey told reporters that the issues are vastly different than when he served as a federal prosecutor, “but the principles that guide the department remain the same”: the pursuit of justice, regard for the law and adherence to the Constitution.
The president called Mukasey “a great lawyer and an accomplished public servant” who has experience in the Justice Department, private practice and the judiciary. He cited an appeals court ruling that said Mukasey demonstrated “extraordinary skill and patience” when he presided over the terrorism trial of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman.
Bush said Mukasey will replace “another fine judge,” Alberto Gonzales, who served with distinction and is “a dear friend and a trusted adviser.”
Bush also announced that Solicitor General Paul Clement will give up his position as acting attorney general so he can focus on his duties. Peter Keisler, assistant attorney general for the civil division, will take over the role of acting attorney general until Mukasey is confirmed.
The Washington Post reported Sunday that Bush would pick Mukasey, citing unnamed sources.
Gonzales served his last day as the nation’s top law enforcement officer on Friday. He resigned following controversy over political influence within the department and its decision to fire nine U.S. attorneys.
Mukasey’s name came up as a top contender, along with Theodore Olson, in news reports last week. But chatter that Mukasey was the one got louder over the weekend and was reported by CNN and the Weekly Standard on Saturday.
Mukasey, who is an adviser to Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, served as chief judge in Manhattan for six years and is well-regarded by Republicans and Democrats. He left the Southern District of New York in 2006 and became a partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler.
Originally posted 09-16-2007 at 5:46 p.m.
