Even being in Mexico couldn’t help President Bush dodge a brewing Washington meltdown of sorts that prompted calls for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and ensnared White House adviser Karl Rove.
Why was Bush in Mexico?
Mexico was the last stop on Bush's week-long tour of Latin America. He also stopped in Brazil, where he pledged to develop more ethanol, and spent seven hours in Colombia—the first U.S. President to visit there since 1982.
What's the Washington meltdown over?
Basically it’s over the fact that the White House knew more about last year’s firings of eight U.S. attorneys. The group was dismissed seemingly for no apparent reason and this week testified before the House that they were pressured by GOP lawmakers to prosecute certain types of cases during their tenure (like voter fraud and immigration issues) and asked not to talk about their dismissals.
Gonzales first rejected their charges, writing an op-ed in USA Today, saying they were fired for personnel issues. But when Justice Department emails revealed an orchestrated effort by members of the Bush Administration to move out the attorneys, Gonzales backtracked and said “mistakes were made.” And so did President Bush, though he also defended Gonzales.
Then, emails surfaced revealing that back in 2005, Karl Rove suggested the firing of all sitting U.S. attorneys, 93 to be exact, something President Clinton did at the beginning of his first term. U.S. attorneys are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. They prosecute on behalf of the U.S. or defend it. What's odd is the White House first blamed the idea on former White House counsel Harriet Miers, another reason for all the attention on this issue.
So, why were they fired?
It's still a bit of a mystery. Democrats say the move was politically motivated to take advantage of a loophole created by the Patriot Act, which would allow U.S. attorneys to be appointed without Senate approval and for indefinite terms, which the Bush Administration strongly denies.
The big picture
This story is just heating up. A Senate panel approved subpoenas could be issued for Karl Rove and other top White House officials to testify before a Senate committee. And many question whether Gonzales, who says he won’t resign, can survive the melee. But the conversation itself should serve as a reminder that attorneys and judges are meant to operate without political pressure.
Why was Bush in Mexico?
Mexico was the last stop on Bush's week-long tour of Latin America. He also stopped in Brazil, where he pledged to develop more ethanol, and spent seven hours in Colombia—the first U.S. President to visit there since 1982.
What's the Washington meltdown over?
Basically it’s over the fact that the White House knew more about last year’s firings of eight U.S. attorneys. The group was dismissed seemingly for no apparent reason and this week testified before the House that they were pressured by GOP lawmakers to prosecute certain types of cases during their tenure (like voter fraud and immigration issues) and asked not to talk about their dismissals.
Gonzales first rejected their charges, writing an op-ed in USA Today, saying they were fired for personnel issues. But when Justice Department emails revealed an orchestrated effort by members of the Bush Administration to move out the attorneys, Gonzales backtracked and said “mistakes were made.” And so did President Bush, though he also defended Gonzales.
Then, emails surfaced revealing that back in 2005, Karl Rove suggested the firing of all sitting U.S. attorneys, 93 to be exact, something President Clinton did at the beginning of his first term. U.S. attorneys are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. They prosecute on behalf of the U.S. or defend it. What's odd is the White House first blamed the idea on former White House counsel Harriet Miers, another reason for all the attention on this issue.
So, why were they fired?
It's still a bit of a mystery. Democrats say the move was politically motivated to take advantage of a loophole created by the Patriot Act, which would allow U.S. attorneys to be appointed without Senate approval and for indefinite terms, which the Bush Administration strongly denies.
The big picture
This story is just heating up. A Senate panel approved subpoenas could be issued for Karl Rove and other top White House officials to testify before a Senate committee. And many question whether Gonzales, who says he won’t resign, can survive the melee. But the conversation itself should serve as a reminder that attorneys and judges are meant to operate without political pressure.
