More Missing White House E-mail; Official Cites ‘Extensive’ Violations

Far more e-mail than originally thought was sent and received by White House officials on Republican National Committee accounts, and records of many of those e-mails are missing. And that suggests there may have been “extensive” violations of federal open records law by the Bush administration, says the Democratic chair…

Jun 19, 2007 3:00 AM CDT

Defense Lawyers Citing DOJ Firings

The fallout over the firings of at least eight U.S. attorneys is having an impact in federal prosecutions. Defense lawyers are beginning to question prosecutors’ motives following allegations that some U.S. attorneys were fired due to political considerations, the Los Angeles Times reports. Lawyers cited the controversy in prosecutions involving…

Jun 18, 2007 6:13 PM CDT

New Law Puts Pressure on DOJ Hiring

The Justice Department will have to scramble to fill the jobs of almost two dozen U.S. attorneys and five senior DOJ officials. The pressure is on, due to a law signed last week by President Bush overturning the attorney general’s authority to appoint interim U.S. attorneys for indefinite periods, the…

Jun 18, 2007 4:06 PM CDT

Subpoena Response Poses Dilemma

President Bush faces difficult choices in responding to subpoenas for two former White House officials. Congressional committees issued subpoenas on Wednesday to Harriet Miers, who was White House counsel, and Sara Taylor, who served as public affairs director. The subpoenas seek testimony related to the firings of at least eight…

Jun 17, 2007 11:32 PM CDT

Another Justice Department Aide Resigns

Another Justice Department aide with a link to the controversial firings of nine U.S. attorneys as part of an alleged political purge has resigned. Mike Elston, chief of staff for departing Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, is leaving in a week to join a Washington, D.C., law firm. He is…

Jun 16, 2007 3:27 AM CDT

SG Steps onto Political Stage

U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a self-described law geek, has been thrust into the political spotlight in the controversy over the firings of at least eight U.S. attorneys. As the highest ranking Justice Department official who was not involved in the hirings, Clement is charged with overseeing the DOJ’s own…

Jun 15, 2007 5:22 PM CDT

Vote on Spying Subpoenas Delayed

A senator has delayed a Judiciary Committee vote on whether to subpoena Justice Department documents related to domestic eavesdropping. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., delayed the vote on subpoenas related to the National Security Agency program for a week, the New York Times reports.

Jun 15, 2007 3:35 PM CDT

AG Influence on Testimony Probed

The leaders of an internal Justice Department investigation confirmed today that they are probing whether the attorney general tried to influence congressional testimony by former aide Monica Goodling. The disclosure was made in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Washington Post reports. Inspector General Glenn Fine and H.…

Jun 14, 2007 8:28 PM CDT

Religious Freedom New DOJ Focus

The Justice Department has shifted its civil rights focus, emphasizing religious-freedom cases rather than racial discrimination. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has cited the department’s advocacy on behalf of religious rights as one of his top accomplishments, the New York Times reports. To press its new mission, the department has transferred…

Jun 14, 2007 1:22 PM CDT

Ex-White House Counsel Miers Subpoenaed

The House Judiciary Committee will subpoena former White House counsel Harriet Miers to testify about her role in the firings of nine U.S. attorneys. In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee will subpoena former political director Sara Taylor to testify. Both committees are also seeking relevant documents. The Washington Post learned…

Jun 13, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

E-Mail Debates Firing Response

E-mails released yesterday show that aides to President Bush helped determine the response to a controversy over the firings of nine U.S. attorneys. Then-White House counsel Harriet Miers and aides to political adviser Karl Rove debated the response in “spirited and sometimes angry e-mail exchanges,” the Washington Post reports. “These…

Jun 13, 2007 4:46 PM CDT

Republicans Block Senate Vote on AG

After much media hoopla, a planned Senate vote of no confidence in U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was blocked by Republicans today. Democrats were unable to muster the 60 votes needed to move past a procedural hurdle, reports Reuters. The non-binding vote would have had no legal force, even if…

Jun 12, 2007 12:46 AM CDT

Gonzales Unfazed, Still “Sprinting” on Job

Embattled U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales appeared unfazed at a lunchtime lecture in Miami, despite a pending Senate no-confidence vote scheduled for later in the day. The vote would have no binding effect, even if it passes, but is considered an unusual historical black mark. However, many lawmakers’ expressed doubts about…

Jun 11, 2007 9:32 PM CDT

GOP Insiders Got Immigration Judgeships

The Bush administration apparently favors partisan political ties when selecting immigration judges, a newspaper concludes.

A Washington Post analysis concludes that half the immigration judges chosen since 2004 lack experience in immigration law, and at least a third have Republican ties. Those who did have experience held jobs as prosecutors or in immigration enforcement.

Among those who got the administrative judge positions were two failed nominees to the U.S. Tax Court, a lawyer who advised the GOP on election law, an anti-porn crusdader, and a Republican official in Louisiana.

Jun 11, 2007 2:48 PM CDT

Gonzales Vote Likely Today

Senate Democrats are pushing for a vote today on whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should keep his job.

Most Republicans are likely to vote against the resolution, Associated Press reports.

President Bush told reporters covering his European visit that the symbolic vote won’t change his mind–he stands by Gonzales.

Jun 11, 2007 2:27 PM CDT