Senate panel accuses Gonzales of deceit
WASHINGTON – Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday accused Attorney General Alberto Gonzales of repeatedly misleading Congress and suggested he had perjured himself in connection with statements to lawmakers about an anti-terrorism program.
One after the other, Democrats – and some Republicans – accused Gonzales of a pattern of deceit in addressing issues from his role in last year’s firing of top prosecutors to his 2004 participation in an unusual late-night visit to the hospital room of his ailing predecessor, John Ashcroft.
“You’ve come here seeking our trust,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who chairs the Judiciary Committee, told Gonzales. “Frankly, Mr. Attorney General, you’ve lost mine. And this is something I’ve never said to any Cabinet member before.”
The appearance was designed in part for Gonzales to repair fractured relations with members of Congress; his credibility has suffered under the weight of multiple controversies. But if anything, he lost ground – as his explanations of prior missteps and statements raised even more questions from senators about his candor and truthfulness.
“I do not find your testimony credible, candidly,” Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said. “The chairman’s already said that the committee’s going to review your testimony very carefully to see if your credibility has been breached to the point of being actionable.”
While Gonzales still enjoys the support of President Bush, the confrontation was remarkable for the ridicule heaped upon the nation’s top law enforcement officer.
Gonzales said he wanted to stay at the Justice Department to fix the problems that have surfaced during his tenure, including evidence that politics has infected hiring practices at the department. But lawmakers said Gonzales was the principal problem, and they questioned whether the steps he was taking would make a difference.
The attorney general’s performance Tuesday reinforced the impression of some who believe he is out of touch with important Justice Department policy issues.
Gonzales was confronted with a May 2006 memo in which he authorized expanded communications with White House officials, including the office of Vice President Dick Cheney, regarding pending investigations.
“What on Earth business does the office of the vice president have in the internal workings of the Department of Justice with respect to criminal investigations, civil investigations, ongoing matters?” asked Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
Gonzales acknowledged that he did not have a good answer. “As a general matter, I would say that that’s a good question,” the attorney general said, eliciting laughter from the dozen or so protesters in the audience.