Gonzales Hearing Showcases Policy Shift

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http://www.law.com/jsp/dc/PubArticleDC.jsp?id=1176887060376&rss=dc

Gonzales Hearing Showcases Policy Shift

Since 2002, more than 100 White House employees have had access to information on criminal investigations

By Jason McLure
Legal Times
April 23, 2007


Most of the public dissection of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ testimony last week dwelt on the pummeling he took at the hands of the Senate Judiciary Committee, particulary from members of his own party.

But beyond the relentless back-and-forth combat between Gonzales and hostile senators, some crucial details emerged about how management of the Justice Department has changed during the Bush administration.

Gonzales’ testimony revealed a department that has lowered the traditional walls erected between the White House, Main Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the field, former Justice officials say. And that could have a profound impact on the way the department carries out its business in the future.

One of the policy changes has to do with Gonzales’ discussion about the rationale for firing U.S. Attorney Margaret Chiara, which the former officials say appeared to lay out a new and potentially troubling standard for measuring the management capabilities of U.S. attorneys.

The other, which emerged during questioning from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), is an apparent structural shift in the relationship between the Justice Department and the White House — a matter of renewed significance given the allegations that the Justice Department has been “politicized” during Gonzales’ leadership.

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[pinkpops]

1. Anyone know where to find Senator Whitehouse's visual?

[annabanana]

2. Here:

[pinkpops]

3. Thank you Ms. Banana