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| Home Front: Politix | |||
| DoJ all but ‘operating on autopilot’ | |||
| 2007-07-20 | |||
Six top DoJ officials have quit since February, when the sackings of at least nine US attorneys prompted an outcry in Congress. Outside Washington, 23 of the 93 US attorneysÂ’ offices, which investigate and try most cases, are devoid of permanent political leadership. The remaining top officials, including Alberto Gonzales, attorney-Âgeneral, are the subject of multiple investigations by Congress and the DoJÂ’s inspector-general. That has forced lawyers in the field to make decisions with much less input from Washington than in the previous six years, often on contentious topics such as whether to seek the death penalty in states where it is unpopular. The practical result has been to depoliticise many field offices, giving thousands of career DoJ attorneys freedom to resolve cases the way they see fit. “ThereÂ’s open contempt between the field and main justice [DoJ headquarters],” said one career prosecutor, who like others did not want to be named lest they attract attention from Washington. “The field is fine. We just do what we do. The department [in Washington] is crippled.” Democrats in Congress, who want Mr Gonzales to resign, decry the situation. “ItÂ’s clear that the justice department canÂ’t function as long as Gonzales is in charge,” said Senator Chuck Schumer, who has spearheaded the Democratic investigations of the DoJ.
Most offices are pushing forward without difficulty and have passed some high-profile milestones, including the indictment of a sitting congressman for corruption; the arrest of plotters alleged to be targeting New YorkÂ’s John F. Kennedy airport and the Fort Dix military base; and record settlements for overseas bribery and exporting military technology. The DoJ has a vacÂancy rate of less than 3 per cent, which covers law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. But Patrick Leahy, the Democrat who chairs the Senate judiciary committee, pointed out that the White House has submitted nominees for only four of the 23 open US attorney positions. “The current status is unÂacceptable,” he said. The crisis of leadership at the justice department has allowed the White House to play politics with law enforcement.”
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| Posted by:lotp |
| #5 tu, stand by for protests from all self-respecting dildos everywhere over that unnecessary roughness..... |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2007-07-20 15:46 |
| #4 But Patrick Leahy, the Democrat who chairs the Senate judiciary committee, pointed out that the White House has submitted nominees for only four of the 23 open US attorney positions. With a dildo like you running the committee, maybe he doesn't wanna waste the time... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-07-20 13:05 |
| #3 You had better fill this void, congress. There are plenty of appointees that need to be appointed and you are too busy with pajama parties to do it. You as a collective body are ruining our justice system and our civil institutions are evaporating due to your imbecilic preoccupation of the War and George Bush. A war which may I add is thrust upon you. YOU HAVE no control of the war you pantywaists. If you cannot change your attitude, I will see you to justice. This, 110, is the worst congress in history. I call you Nero. |
| Posted by: newc 2007-07-20 12:27 |
| #2 Ah, the infamous Leaky Leahy. Doesn't Rush call him Senator Depend? Sounds like the work's getting done, though, and that's the most important thing. |
| Posted by: The Doctor 2007-07-20 11:05 |
| #1 How many of the four nominees have you approved so far, Senator Leeky ? None, you say ? What the hell are you waiting for ? |
| Posted by: wxjames 2007-07-20 10:49 |