Legal Affairs Reporter, Congressional Quarterly
Legal Affairs Reporter for Congressional Quarterly
PROFILE
Keith Perine
Guest
FROM Keith Perine
To the Point
Ashcroft Testifies on Interrogation before Congress Former Attorney General John Ashcroft testified before Congress today about so-called "enhanced interrogation" initially approved by the Justice Department during his tenure. Ashcroft subsequently rescinded the so-called "torture memo" written by Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo. Democrats today asked about "waterboarding" and other techniques. Keith Perine is Legal Affairs reporter for Congressional Quarterly.
To the Point
Mukasey on Cruise Control in Confirmation Hearings Senators today questioned former judge Michael Mukasey , President Bush's choice to become Attorney General of the United States. They were looking for differences between Mukasey and Alberto Gonzales , who resigned under the pressure of relentless controversy. The issues explored included interrogation techniques, conversations with political figures about pending cases and a willingness to resign if the president ignores legal or ethical problems about his policies. Keith Perine covers legal affairs for Congressional Quarterly magazine.
To the Point
Attorney General Gonzales Testifies on Capitol Hill America's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales , came under attack from members of both parties today at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill. At issue is how deeply he was involved in the firing of eight US attorneys . Has he tried to deceive both Congress and the American people? What is the role of partisan politics in the administration of justice? Has Gonzales lost the credibility he needs to do his job? We get a report on the hearing and hear from one of the former prosecutors.
To the Point
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.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.