Gonzales and the Justice Department Back in the Hot Seat
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Alberto Gonzales' former top aide says the Attorney General was "not accurate" when he testified before Congress. He also said the White House was deeply involved in firing eight US attorneys. We hear more on Kyle Sampson's testimony and politics in the administration of justice. Also, the Senate hands the President a deadline for getting out of Iraq and, on Reporter's Notebook, Iran suspends release of the woman among 15 British captives.
Making News
Senate Approves Iraq War Bill with Timetable ()
With the Senate about to vote on a deadline for withdrawing troops from Iraq, President Bush invited all Republicans in both houses to a White House briefing today to remind them that he expects troops to be fully funded. Shortly afterward--despite the President’s objection, the Senate passed the spending bill, including the non-binding deadlines. The vote was 51 to 47. Richard Wolffe covers the White House for Newsweek.
Guests:
- Richard Wolffe: Senior White House Correspondent for Newsweek
Links:
Main Topic
Politics and the Administration of Justice ()
Kyle Sampson, former top aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, told the Senate Judiciary Committee today prosecutors were not fired to gain "partisan advantage." He also said that Gonzales did not give "accurate" testimony when he told Congress he was not directly involved in ousting the US attorneys. We hear more about Sampson's testimony and another top Gonzales aide who invoked the 5th Amendment. What's at stake for the Attorney General himself, and what's the history of political involvement with the Department of Justice? We hear from journalist, political scientists, and legal experts, including two former Justice Department officials.
Guests:
- Keith Perine: Legal Affairs Reporter for Congressional Quarterly
- Nancy Baker: Associate Professor of Government at New Mexico State University
- Douglas Kmiec: Professor of Constitutional Law at Pepperdine University, @dougkmiec
- Evan Caminker: Professor of American Constitutional Law
Reporter's Notebook
Iran Refuses to Release Sailor, UK Appeals to Security Council ()
Iran has cancelled the release of Faye Turney, the one woman among 15 British marines and sailors seized a week ago by Iran, as Britain tries to mobilize world opinion against their capture. A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair says, "What is important is that Iran knows that it is isolated" on the issue of seizing British marines and sailors in the Persian Gulf. We get an update on the escalating international incident from Daniel Dombey of Financial Times and Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times.
Guests:
- Daniel Dombey: European Diplomatic Correspondent for Financial Times, @Danieldombey
- Borzou Daragahi: Reporter, Los Angeles Times, @borzou
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