WASHINGTON –
Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined his colleagues on the Committee in questioning Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about his role in the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys last year.
Following today's Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Cardin issued the following statement:
“Although Attorney General Gonzales finally admitted that he misspoke repeatedly in recent weeks and mishandled the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys last fall, his testimony today still left us with far more questions than answers. He failed to disclose the true nature of Justice Department meetings in which he was an active participant or the involvement of White House officials in these firings. Needless to say, there were a lot of critical facts that Attorney General Gonzales claimed he simply could not recall.
“In order for our justice system to work, the U.S. Attorneys must be able to investigate and prosecute cases in a completely independent manner, free from all political pressure. At this point, I have very little confidence in Attorney General Gonzales' ability to manage the Justice Department an in independent, non-political manner. The American people deserve better.”