Hearings re Axing of U.S. Attys

Six of the U.S. Attorneys who were recently dismissed by the Bush Administration are testifying before the Senate and House Judiciary committees today. Some attention is being directed at Republican politicians' possible pressure of David Iglesias, the former U.S. Attorney in New Mexico. His office was investigating some Democrats but had not filed charges. Before the election Rep. Heather Wilson called him to ask about the case. A couple of weeks later Sen. Pete Dominici called him (at home!) a couple of weeks later. There's talk of ethics investigations in Congress. Fired U.S. Attorney Testifies on New Mexico Lawmakers, Washington Post, March 6, 2007.

Former judge H. Lee Sarokin says he is opposed to having U.S. Attorneys testify before congressional committees.

Although I am in favor of the Justice Department being called upon to explain and justify these dismissals, I fear that those hearings, as well, will be demeaning to the discharged U.S. Attorneys. The government will parade out a litany of faults and failures to justify and excuse its decision to discharge them. When the hearings are over, we will know what we know today: The decision to discharge and replace these dedicated public servants was based upon political not personnel considerations.

http://x-judge.blogspot.com/index.html">The Injustice Department, March 3, 2007.