Federal Government

Intelligence Chief Backs Wiretap Power

The new director of national intelligence says the president has the constitutional authority to order domestic wiretaps without seeking approval from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court. Michael McConnell told the Senate Intelligence Committee that it’s “the president’s call” whether to order surveillance without warrants, the New York Times reports. However,…

May 2, 2007 1:23 PM CDT

A Law Day Irony?

A Washington Post column takes President Bush to task, claiming he violates the spirit of Law Day. The Post column by Ruth Marcus notes that Bush signed the annual Law Day proclamation, then goes on to rap him for his expansive view of presidential power. It highlights the irony of…

May 1, 2007 5:22 PM CDT

White House Nixed Student Loan Reform

The Bush administration nixed a 2001 proposal to tighten restrictions on the student loan industry. Since then, the loan industry has come under investigation for paying universities and school officials for loan referrals. The Education Department’s draft 2001 policy shows awareness of the issue and a perceived need to act,…

May 1, 2007 5:12 PM CDT

U.S. Flip-Flop in Medellin Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by a Mexican national on death row who says he was not informed of his right to meet with consular officials. The United States has changed its position on whether courts here have to reopen cases in which defendants were…

May 1, 2007 3:22 PM CDT

Top Gonzales Aides Could Fire Non-U.S. Attys

As the controversy continues over the alleged political purge of eight U.S. attorneys, information has come to light about who was empowered to fire lower-level employees. A Justice Department order shows that U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales authorized two top aides to fire political appointees who didn’t require Senate confirmation.…

May 1, 2007 11:01 AM CDT

Supreme Court to Hear Bush-Texas Standoff

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that asks whether President Bush may order a state court to abide by an international court ruling. The case involves Jose Ernesto Medellin, who is on Texas death row for the rape and murder of two teenage girls, Reuters reports.…

Apr 30, 2007 8:24 PM CDT

Cert Rejected in Second Gitmo Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied review of a case challenging the legality of military commissions, the second Guantanamo case it turned down this month. One of the petitioners was Salim Ahmed Hamdan, accused of acting as a driver and bodyguard for Osama bin Laden, Associated Press reports. He has…

Apr 30, 2007 7:57 PM CDT

Political Influence Probe Grows

The probe into partisan political influence in government is taking place on more than one front. A House committee is seeking information about political briefings given to government employees by aides to political adviser Karl Rove, the Washington Post reports. The Hatch Act restricts political activities of government workers and…

Apr 27, 2007 4:24 PM CDT

Indicted Ex-CEO Eats and Bleats

Former White House budget director David Stockman is talking to reporters in an apparent effort to revive his image. Stockman has been indicted for fraud and conspiracy in connection with his handling of finances as CEO for auto parts maker Collins & Aikman. Prosecutors claim he misled investors to preserve…

Apr 27, 2007 3:49 PM CDT

Investigator Predicts White House Cooperation

The head of a government watchdog agency came away from a meeting with White House counsel Fred Fielding yesterday saying he believes the administration will cooperate with his probe of political influence. Scott Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel, said the two agreed to procedures that will be…

Apr 27, 2007 3:00 PM CDT

Legal Fate of Gitmo Detainees Debated

Senators yesterday debated the legal fate of about 380 detainees remaining at Guantanamo Bay, but no action was taken. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said detainees can be held for years with no legal recourse, the Associated Press reports. Indefinite detention is “unconstitutional. It’s un-American,” he said during…

Apr 27, 2007 2:32 PM CDT

Columnist: Bush is Boss, Gonzales Here to Stay

Media commentators who played up last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing as U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ last chance to save his job lost track of two key points, a columnist writes in today’s Indianapolis Star. President Bush is the only one with the power to fire Gonzales. And President…

Apr 27, 2007 11:02 AM CDT

Docs Show 9th U.S. Attorney Targeted, Aides Say

A ninth U.S. Attorney was initially among those targeted for firing, according to a preliminary list being compiled by Karl Rove, former chief of staff to U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales. But the Minnesota federal prosecutor, Thomas Heffelfinger, left his office voluntarily before the final list of eight U.S. attorneys allegedly…

Apr 27, 2007 11:01 AM CDT

Philadelphia Lawyer to Join White House Staff

A partner in the white-collar practice group at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads is leaving to become an associate counsel to President Bush, according to the Legal Intelligencer. Scott A. Coffina, who makes the move on May 7, said White House counsel Fred Fielding has been making staff changes because…

Apr 26, 2007 4:52 PM CDT

White House Defends Political Briefings

The White House is defending government briefings about upcoming congressional elections, the Washington Post reports. A government spokesman said 20 briefings were conducted in at least 15 government agencies. Officials contacted by the Post described the sessions as “informational briefings about the political landscape.” Scott J. Bloch, director of the…

Apr 26, 2007 3:22 PM CDT