Attorney General

7 Ex-CIA Directors Ask Obama to Quash AG’s Probe of Interrogation Tactics

In a letter sent to the White House today, seven former directors of the Central Intelligence Agency ask President Barack Obama to overrule U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to appoint an independent counsel to investigate interrogation tactics the CIA used after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, reports the…

Sep 18, 2009 7:43 PM CDT

DOJ Defends Anti-Gay Marriage Law, But Indicates Disapproval

The U.S. Justice Department is defending—but not endorsing—a federal law that says marriage is a union between a man and a woman. In court documents filed today, the department says the law is “constitutionally permissible,” although it disagrees with the statute as a policy matter, the Boston Globe reports. The…

Sep 18, 2009 6:04 PM CDT

Ex-AG Gonzales Wins Dismissal From Suit Alleging DOJ Hiring Blacklist

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has dismissed former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales from a lawsuit alleging that the U.S. Department of Justice illegally blacklisted job applicants based on their political beliefs during the administration of President George W. Bush. U.S. District Judge John Bates said the case against…

Sep 17, 2009 9:05 PM CDT

Little-Noticed DOJ Memo Says Administration Can Ignore Meetings Ban

A little-noticed Justice Department memorandum asserts that the Obama administration can ignore a law barring U.S. officials from attending meetings led by nations considered to be sponsors of terrorism. Relying on the opinion, the State Department sent representatives to United Nations sessions on population and development that were led by…

Sep 16, 2009 12:56 PM CDT

DOJ Supports Renewal of Patriot Act’s Personal Records Provisions

The U.S. Justice Department is supporting renewal of three Patriot Act provisions involving surveillance in terrorism investigations. The provisions are set to expire at the end of December, the Washington Post reports. They allow roving wiretaps of suspects who change cell phone numbers, tracking of “lone wolves” who are not…

Sep 16, 2009 11:43 AM CDT

SG Dumped Traditional Morning Coat, Wore Pantsuit of Unknown Design

Solicitor General Elena Kagan ended a tradition on Wednesday when she made her first U.S. Supreme Court argument without wearing a formal morning coat. Kagan opted instead for “a dark suit and an open-necked sky-blue blouse,” the Washington Post reports in a column by Al Kamen. Some other publications had…

Sep 11, 2009 12:39 PM CDT

Former AG John Ashcroft Can Be Sued By Material Witness Detainee, 9th Circuit Says

An individual allegedly unconstitutionally detained as a material witness under a post-Sept. 11, 2001 anti-terrorism policy implemented by ex-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft can sue the nation’s former top law enforcement official for damages, a three-judge appeals court panel ruled today. Deciding an interlocutory appeal in a case brought by…

Sep 4, 2009 11:49 PM CDT

Gonzales: Comments Supporting AG on Interrogation Probe Were Misconstrued

Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says the media has misconstrued his recent comments that appeared to endorse a Justice Department probe of interrogation abuses. On Monday, Gonzales told the Washington Times in a radio interview that Attorney General Eric Holder is asking legitimate questions in the probe into abuses of…

Sep 4, 2009 12:41 PM CDT

Ex-AG Gonzales Defends Holder’s Decision to Probe Interrogation Abuses

Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says the new Justice Department chief is asking legitimate questions in a probe of interrogation abuses of terrorism suspects. Gonzales told the Washington Times that Attorney General Eric Holder has a great deal of discretion in such matters. As chief prosecutor of the United States,…

Sep 2, 2009 12:08 PM CDT

Rule of Law School

It is really encouraging to see “Russia Claws at the Rule of Law” (July) on the cover of the ABA Journal. As a lawyer practicing in Russia for the past six years, I can confirm that most of the issues described take place, especially with regard to criminal investigations. However…

Sep 2, 2009 4:20 AM CDT

Holder Speech Highlights ABA Annual Meeting

New attorney general says administration will seek “smart” strategies to address crime

Sep 2, 2009 1:40 AM CDT

Ex-AGs Weigh Justice and Politics

Six former U.S. attorneys general, who served under four different presidents in the past 30 years, expressed serious concerns about proposed investigations into interrogation techniques employed—but now abandoned—in the war against terrorism.

Sep 2, 2009 1:20 AM CDT

DOJ to Hire 50 More Lawyers, Gear Up for Civil Rights Enforcement Drive

The U.S. Department of Justice is gearing up for a renewed emphasis on traditional civil rights enforcement after a shift in focus during the administration of former President George W. Bush to a greater emphasis on religious rights, human trafficking and individual cases in which there was evidence of intentional…

Sep 1, 2009 10:04 PM CDT

Cheney Weighs In On Probe of CIA, Calls US Terror Tactics Legal & Necessary

Reacting to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s appointment of a special prosecutor last week to look into the legality of interrogation techniques used on suspects by the Central Intelligence Agency following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, former Vice President Dick Cheney called the probe a political witchhunt by left-wing…

Aug 31, 2009 5:29 PM CDT

CIA Reportedly Will Pay Legal Fees of Officers in Interrogation Abuse Probe

The CIA will make sure officers investigated for interrogation abuses have legal representation, according to a senior intelligence official. The unnamed official told the Washington Post that CIA Director Leon Panetta “will do everything he can to ensure that anyone who needs legal representation has it, whether they have liability…

Aug 28, 2009 12:07 PM CDT