Federal Government

New Justices Came From Cheney List

Vice President Dick Cheney led a committee that vetted potential Supreme Court candidates, producing a short list of finalists who shared his views on expansive executive power, the Washington Post reports. Bush selected John G. Roberts from the short list, first to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of…

Jun 26, 2007 2:34 PM CDT

Taxpayers Can’t Challenge Religion Aid (Updated)

The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision has ruled that taxpayers do not have standing to challenge a White House program that encouraged faith-based organizations to seek federal aid. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote the majority opinion. The plaintiff, the Freedom from Religion Foundation Inc., relied on a…

Jun 25, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

Judge Decries Warrantless Surveillance

The judge who once approved terrorism wiretaps has criticized President Bush’s decision to allow surveillance in some cases without court approval. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said in a speech to the American Library Association that warrantless surveillance erodes civil liberties, the Associated Press reports. “We have to understand you…

Jun 25, 2007 4:17 PM CDT

DOJ Official Withdraws Nomination

The Justice Department’s acting associate attorney general has withdrawn his nomination for the permanent job. William Mercer said in a letter that he will return to his regular duties as U.S. Attorney in Montana, citing opposition to his nomination, the Washington Post reports. Mercer has been criticized for splitting his…

Jun 25, 2007 2:54 PM CDT

Ashcroft Testifies on Surveillance Disputes

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft appeared in a closed-door session before a House committee yesterday to testify about Bush administration disputes over a domestic surveillance program. The committee is considering a bill that would rewrite the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which requires a special court to issue warrants for domestic…

Jun 22, 2007 4:21 PM CDT

Court, Business Back Securities-Suit Limits

A U.S. Supreme Court decision yesterday setting a high pleading standard for investor lawsuits comes as corporations are pressing for even more restrictions on securities litigation. The court ruled that plaintiffs suing for securities fraud must plead “cogent and compelling” facts showing the defendants had an intent to defraud. Tellabs…

Jun 22, 2007 1:05 PM CDT

DOJ Official Stands by Testimony

Prepared remarks by Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty show he will defend his prior testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee without lashing out at those who said his previous statements were inaccurate. McNulty will testify today before a House Judiciary subcommittee as part of the ongoing controversy over the firing…

Jun 21, 2007 3:36 PM CDT

Libby Appeal Seeks Stay of Sentence

Former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby has asked a federal appeals court to delay his sentence pending an appeal. The motion filed yesterday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit says Libby has a good chance of winning, the Washington Post reports. The…

Jun 20, 2007 4:47 PM CDT

Bush Makes Good on Signing Vows

A study by the Government Accountability Office has identified several examples in which the White House did not carry out new laws. The GAO tracked 19 instances in which President Bush indicated in signing statements that he intended to disregard or decline to enforce legislation that he signed into law.…

Jun 19, 2007 4:41 PM CDT

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

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

Editor’s Book Hits Media Lawyer

A book that chronicles the legal fight to protect a Time reporter and his sources criticizes the high-profile lawyer who represented the magazine. The book, Off the Record, is written by former Time editor-in-chief Norman Pearlstine. He takes aim at media lawyer Floyd Abrams, saying he was more interested in…

Jun 18, 2007 1:40 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

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