The Attorney General swore to the Senate Judiciary
Committee in January that he "would never, ever make a change in a
United States attorney for political reasons." But the evidence belies
Gonzales' protestations.
Why did these prosecutors run afoul of the Bush gang?
David Iglesias from Albuquerque received an
evaluation that said he was "respected by the judiciary, agencies and
staff." But he didn't file a corruption case involving New Mexico
Democrats before the 2006 election which would've embarrassed the
Democrats. New Mexico Republican Senator Pete Domenici called Iglesias
and asked whether charges were "going to be filed before the election."
Iglesias said he felt "sick" after Domenici called him. "I felt leaned
on, I felt pressured to get these matters moving." Iglesias also
received a call from Republican Representative Heather Wilson, who was
running neck-in-neck with a Democrat in a race where the corruption
investigation was a campaign issue. Justice Department spokesman Brian
Roehrkasse admitted Domenici's complaint to Gonzales about Iglesias was
a factor in the prosecutor's removal.
Carol Lam, "an effective manager and respected
leader" from San Diego, conducted an investigation of Republican
Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham for taking over $2 million in
bribes from defense contractors. It resulted in a guilty plea and an
eight-plus year sentence. In February, Lam indicted Kyle Dustin Foggo,
formerly the number 3 man at the CIA. If Lam were permitted to
continue, she might have uncovered more official wrongdoing in
defense-contracting. Lam was replaced by a member of the Federalist
Society with almost no criminal law experience.
Bud Cummins, a "very competent and highly regarded"
U.S. Attorney from Little Rock, Arkansas, was removed and replaced with
J. Timothy Griffin, one of Karl Rove's key researchers. Deputy Attorney
General Paul McNulty testified that Cummins had done nothing wrong to
justify his removal. "I'm not aware of anything negative," he said.
Cummins said a senior Justice Department official warned him that the
fired U.S. Attorneys should keep quiet about "their" firings.
Daniel Bogden, a "highly regarded" and "capable
leader" from Las Vegas, had opened an investigation into allegations
that Nevada's Republican governor had accepted inappropriate gifts.
Paul Charlton, from Phoenix was "well respected" for
his "integrity, professionalism and competence." He had undertaken an
investigation of two Republican Arizona Representatives.
John McKay, "an effective, well-regarded and capable
leader" from Seattle was called by a well-placed Republican, who
inquired about whether McKay intended to convene a grand jury to
examine claims of voter fraud in a close gubernatorial election, which
was won by a Democrat. McKay also favored a computerized law
enforcement information-sharing system that the Justice Department
opposed.
These prosecutors were punished for doing their jobs
too well. In the Bush administration, justice has become politicized.
Democrats have been investigated by the Department of Justice seven
times more frequently than Republicans.
On the defensive as a result of the U.S. Attorney
firing scandal, the administration has engaged in damage control. It
has agreed not to oppose legislation overriding the Specter Patriot Act
loophole.
Another Patriot Act provision that has been misused
by the Gonzales Justice Department authorizes the use of "national
security letters." These are administrative subpoenas that enable the
FBI to obtain our e-mails and telephone records, and travel and
financial information without approval from a judge. An audit by the
Inspector General concluded last week that the FBI has used this
provision to illegally force businesses to turn over customer data,
then lied to Congress about it.
The Bush gang has engaged in a pattern and practice
of misconduct, including a war of aggression, torture and war crimes,
and spying on Americans without warrants. Congress has begun to hold
hearings and conduct investigations. As increasing evidence of high
crimes and misdemeanors emerges, it is high time for the House of
Representatives to undertake its constitutional duty to initiate
impeachment proceedings.
Marjorie Cohn, a professor at Thomas Jefferson
School of Law, is president of the National Lawyers Guild, and the U.S.
representative to the executive committee of the American Association
of Jurists. Her new book, Cowboy Republic: Six Ways the Bush Gang Has
Defied the Law, will be published in July. See http://www.marjoriecohn.com/.
Global Research Articles by Marjorie Cohn
© Copyright Marjorie Cohn, Global Research, 2007
Story LINK: Global Research