Story doesn't make any sense. First they say Bush has been doing this for 4 years with approval of Justice Dept. So Bush had already been given Ok by Ashcroft and Comey long before his gall bladder surgery.
Why would you keep asking for the same thing you already have approved over and over again?
Maybe Comey is still bitter that he didn't get Ashcroft's job...and is telling stories, just like a lot of bitter people have done lately...that have worked in the Bush Administration.