Senator Calls for U.S. Attorney Resignation
A Montana senator is calling for the resignation of the U.S. attorney in his state because of disclosures he sought to change a federal residency requirement for his benefit.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that U.S. Attorney William Mercer helped insert a change into the USA Patriot Act that ensured he could remain as a U.S. attorney despite his work as an associate attorney general in Washington, D.C.
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., told the Post he objected to Mercer’s actions. “Mr. Mercer was operating outside federal law, so he had the law changed. That might work in Alberto Gonzales’ Justice Department, but it’s not how we do business in Montana.”
The Justice Department maintains the change merely clarified the law and Mercer did nothing wrong.
