Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.,
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
On The Resignation Of Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty
May 14, 2007

“The American people deserve a strong and independent Department of Justice with leaders who enforce the law without fear or favor.  Regrettably that is not the Justice Department we have today.  Instead, we see a Department rife with scandal and another agency this Administration seeks to manipulate as a political arm of the White House.  Our justice system should not be a political arm for this White House or any White House, whether occupied by a Republican or a Democrat.  This is not the first resignation from the Department of those involved in the United States Attorney scandal.

“We need to restore the Department of Justice to a place deserving of its name and the way we do that is get to the truth about the role the White House played in the replacement of United States Attorneys for political purposes. The Committee has made requests for cooperation from the White House and I hope the information and cooperation requested will finally be forthcoming.  If the White House has done nothing improper, then they have nothing to hide.  The Administration should come clean so that we can begin the process of reconstituting the leadership of the Justice Department.  Then all Americans can renew their faith in its role as our leading law enforcement agency.    The obligations of the Justice Department are to the Constitution, the rule of law and to the American people, not to the White House.”

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