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Feinstein: Reports "Fuel My Concerns"
Over the weekend, the Justice Department finally turned over performance evaluations for six of the fired U.S. attorneys to the Senate Judiciary Committee. And as The New York Times reported over the weekend, they were all positive, ranging from “well regarded" to “very competent.”
That's upset already angry Dems on the committee, who threatened action if they found out the prosecutors had been well rated. In a letter sent late yesterday to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) wrote that "these reports only serve to fuel my concerns that the Department of Justice based its decisions to fire competent and successful U.S. Attorneys because of a desire to put young politically-connected lawyers from the outside into these offices."
She attached the reports to her letter and called on Reid and McConnell to bring a bill, sponsored by Feinstein and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), that would force the administration to seek Senate confirmation of U.S. attorneys, or otherwise face having replacements appointed by a federal judge.
The text of the letter is below.
The text of the letter:
February 26, 2007Majority Leader Harry Reid
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell:
This weekend, the Department of Justice finally released six of the Evaluation and Review Staff (EARS) reports of the fired U.S. Attorneys which are attached for your review. EARS reports are thorough and scheduled reviews that are done on a periodic basis to evaluate U.S. Attorneys and determine how they are doing in their jobs, where there is need for improvement, and where there are successes.
Reports were provided for:
· Carol Lam, San Diego
· John McKay, Western District of Washington
· Bud Cummins, Eastern District of Arkansas
· David Iglesias, District of New Mexico
· Paul Charlton, District of Arizona
· Daniel Bogden, District of NevadaAll were favorable and, in fact, all are quite positive reviews of their performances. Indeed, contrary to the Department’s rationalizations to explain their dismissals, in every case the fired U.S. Attorney was judged to have a strategic plan and appropriate priorities to meet the needs of the Department and their districts.
These reports confirm my speculation that the rash of firings that occurred in December was not based on misconduct or poor performances. Instead, these reports only serve to fuel my concerns that the Department of Justice based its decisions to fire competent and successful U.S. Attorneys because of a desire to put young politically-connected lawyers from the outside into these offices.
I continue to believe that it is imperative that we change the law back to the way it had been, and require the Department of Justice to go through regular order and secure Senate confirmation of U.S. Attorneys. I urge you both to find a time to bring S. 214, Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007, to the floor of the Senate and schedule an up or down vote on the floor.
Comments (28)
nofltwlt wrote on February 27, 2007 1:18 PM:The sypmtom is Bush. The cure is impeachment.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on February 27, 2007 1:35 PM:"These reports confirm my speculation that the rash of firings that occurred in December was not based on misconduct or poor performances."
What the American people have got to understand is . . . For the present Administration’s incarnation of the DoJ, the poor performance was finding rampant corruption where it actually exists (in Republican officials and their supporters) and not in their right-wingnut fantasy-land where Democrats run willy-nilly about with scissors and interns.
By the Torture Czar's standards these US Attorneys were failing miserably and therefore their terminations were justifiable, ethical and right . . .
apthorp wrote on February 27, 2007 1:37 PM:In this case, the head is an appendage. The deep corruption of every executive function is the symptom. Going after visible, generally competence based positions is end of the day wrap up. Hacks are in positions of power everywhere else.
Greg wrote on February 27, 2007 1:38 PM:Not harsh enough. The obvious motive is to obstruct investigations. Cronyism is just a side benifit.
Julian22 wrote on February 27, 2007 2:01 PM:Nice work and special kudoes to Sen. Feinstein.
John wrote on February 27, 2007 2:12 PM:But what's the story on Stuart Gerson, former Acting Attorney General, who appeared on PBS NewsHour last night playing all this down as more or less normal and claiming no evidence political motivations? Although he was a Clinton appointee, he totally lacked credibility for his defense of the AG's office. I was disappointed that PBS couldn't do better than that.
They should all be reinstated now!
I know there is a lot to do, but we all need to get together, to put our country back on track.
Democracy started here, why do they promote it in the mid-east and take it away here?
They are purging, even if placed by Bush, ones threatening their agenda.
It's time the people stand up and say enough.
robbie wrote on February 27, 2007 2:23 PM:Carol Lam had Felix Arelleno in custody and seemed set to bring down the biggest drug gang ever. Now his lawyers are claiming arrest was in Mexico and not legal. One is forced to wonder if drug billions talk louder than the political corruption or if Carol is two birds with one stone. Clearly she was the best US Atty we ever had in San Diego.
Andrew Foland wrote on February 27, 2007 2:25 PM:Why is Feinstein soft-pedalling this? This is about stopping corruption investigations (two words: Dusty Foggo), not about appointing politically-connected lawyers.
W T F wrote on February 27, 2007 2:36 PM:It's time for Feinstein and the other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to demand that the Justice Department appoint Carol Lam to be a special prosecutor so that she can continue the investigation into the Wilkes criminal conspiracy. The Justice Department needs to do this because the new incoming US Attorney is going to be really busy investigating immigration and gun control cases.
jdfeminist wrote on February 27, 2007 2:44 PM:In the spirit of a little indulgence in conspiracy theory makes for a lovely afternoon break, I, too, suspect that Lam was given the boot to delay, if not derail, the Foggo case. Foggo, along with his dear pal and co-indictee Wilkes, might well have the goods on, among others, Lewis and Hunter. While the administration surely wants to protect Lewis, I can't help but wonder if Hunter is being considered, if not groomed, by the GOP powers that be to be the GOP nominee in 2008. Anyone have any thoughts, particularly backed by facts rather than my idle speculation?
Citizen92 wrote on February 27, 2007 3:06 PM:We are painfully aware of all of the Administration's injustices that are out there.
It really is time for Congress to do something and act.
The time for "shock" and "outrage" has long passed.
Anonymous wrote on February 27, 2007 3:12 PM:The whole Whitewater non-scandal surfaced because of political appointees at justice trying to dig dirt on political opposition. The FBI refused to pursue Whitewater initially because they thought it was politically motivated. Once all is said and done, it is clear that EVERYTHING about Whitewater was politically motivated. This is why Bush and Rove want to insert partisan political operatives into these positions.
moreoutrage wrote on February 27, 2007 3:29 PM:Anything to do with this issue that has Mr. 'fake-remorse' Specter's name on it - is a joke - and a serious insult to those attorneys recently fired.
Attn: Dems, especially Sen. Feinstein, you look like complete idiots when allowing Mr. 2-face Specter to sign the letter with you! Wake up! He caused this and is laughing at you! I, am just totally disgusted with you!
Rob wrote on February 27, 2007 3:32 PM:Wait, if these people aren't travel agents, this isn't a big deal, right?
mbbsdphil wrote on February 27, 2007 4:06 PM:If Justice Department representative(s) testified under oath, and claimed that the firings were for cause, and knew that was untrue, that's perjury. Or did they testify under oath while recklessly not knowing whether they were speaking the truth? Typical of Mr. Gonzales' tenure at the "Justice" Dept.
Let's get to the point. What names has the President submitted to be new US Attorneys, and when has the Senate scheduled hearings on them? Mr. Bush promised the Senate and us that these "interim" appointments were not intended to preclude obtaining the Senate's advice and consent.
Keep reminding the non-blogging public whose back the monkey is really on.
The Oracle wrote on February 27, 2007 10:04 PM:Aren't we long past the time for Alberto Gonzales, the most corrupt attorney general our nation has ever had, to be "un-appointed"????
The Senate has the final say over administration appointments...supposedly. Even recess appointments finally have to face the Senate.
So it makes perfect sense that if an individual as corrupt as Gonzales can get Senate approval, then the Senate can also yank that approval and "un-appoint" him.
That is, the Senate, in essence, hired him for the executive branch...so they can fire him.
Ann in AZ wrote on February 28, 2007 12:53 AM:Aren't we long past the time for Alberto Gonzales, the most corrupt attorney general our nation has ever had, to be "un-appointed"????
Posted by: The Oracle
Date: February 27, 2007 10:04 PM
I totally agree-the most reasonable way to solve this problem is to get rid of the real problem in the Justice Dept, Alberto Gonzales. Beside being corrupt, he is also incompetent and far from being a leader, he does whatever Bush, et al, want him to do. He's nothing more than a hit man. Impeachment of him immediately is the answer. Once they're done with him, they can move on to the next most incompetent I can think of in this administration, Chertoff at Homeland Security. Where they go from there is up to them, but if they don't start playing better chess than Repugs, maybe we should start to consider removing all incumbents from office and starting with a whole fresh Congress.
Writergrl wrote on February 28, 2007 2:56 AM:Impeach Gonzales, then Chertoff, then Cheney (a.k.a. Darth), then 43, then. . .
michelle wrote on March 1, 2007 1:41 PM:Looks like the can of worms is opened all the way. While the DOJ has been enslaving blacks
frgukolwy jbkdwtsav wrote on March 12, 2007 11:51 AM:and other minorities, seems like they now have
to answer for this mess.
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