Aide: U.S. Attorney Firings Were Politically Motivated

Staff / Truthdig Mar 29, 2007 According to prepared remarks obtained in advance of his testimony, Alberto Gonzales' former chief of staff believes the eight US attorneys were fired for political reasons: "A U attorney who is unsuccessful from a political perspective is unsuccessful" Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy warned that even Gonzales' resignation would not derail his investigation into the firings. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senate Scoffs at Bush Offer

Staff / Truthdig Mar 23, 2007 The Senate told Bush to shove his "take it or leave it" offer and ordered subpoenas for key figures in the U.S. attorney scandal. Sen. Pat Leahy had this to say about the president's above-the-law attitude: "A system of justice does not serve at the pleasure of any person in this country." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush Threatens Constitutional Showdown

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2007 The president gave Congress an ultimatum Tuesday regarding testimony in the US attorney scandal: His aides will talk in private and off the record or not at all Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy balked at the proposal, setting up a possible constitutional showdown over executive privilege Bush continued to dismiss the scandal, even as the Senate voted to require confirmation of U attorneys. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sen. Leahy Determined to Subpoena Karl Rove

Staff / Truthdig Mar 19, 2007 Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., made it clear on Sunday's "This Week" that he is determined to get to the bottom of the U.S. attorneys scandal and, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will use subpoenas to do it: "I want testimony under oath. I am sick and tired of getting half-truths on this." Leahy said he wanted to hear from Karl Rove, Harriet Miers and other administration officials linked to the firings. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush, Infallible to His Sycophants

Staff / Truthdig Jul 12, 2006 Testifying before Congress yesterday, the Justice Department's top lawyer had a succinct answer to a question posed by a senator about whether Bush was wrong or right in his interpretation of the Supreme Court's Hamdan case: "The President is always right." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sen. Leahy Smacks Gonzales Around in Video

Blair Golson / Truthdig Feb 10, 2006 Leahy, exasperated at Alberto Gonzales' refusal to answer questions about Bush's spying program, lets rip a Jon Stewart-quality zinger: "Of course, Mr. Attorney General, I forgot. You can't answer any questions that might be relevant to this." | video Dig deeper