Attorney General, FBI Director prepared to quit over Jefferson probe: NYT

Reuters via Yahoo ^

[HHKrepublican_2]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FBI director Robert S. Mueller III said this week that they were prepared to quit if the White House directed them to relinquish evidence seized in a disputed search of a House member's office, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Citing government officials, the Times reported that Gonzalez was joined in raising the possibility of resignation by the deputy attorney general, Paul McNulty, who told associates that they had an obligation to protect evidence in a criminal case and would not be willing to follow a White House order to return the material to Congress.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

3 in the admin with principles, spines and guts. Hoo-rah for them!

[claudiustg]

I'm a little confused here. Did they make a public statement to this effect? Or was this hearsay being propagated as fact (commonly known as a rumor)?

[Rockitz]

What's the Whitehouse scared of? Is Ron Brown II nearly upon us? Is someone about to roll over on all of the corrupt individuals in our government? Something stinks here and I pray that the truth wins. I despise corruption whether it comes with an R or a D after its name.

[NormsRevenge]

La Raza would be deeply disappointed were the AG to step down.

[My Favorite Headache]

Something has been wrong in the White House for quite some time...the levels of appeasement that has been given to the Dem's in the face of their lies and slander...something really damaging must be hanging over their heads for them to want to protect some of these criminals.

I for one wouldn't protect a single elected official from Louisiana. They are all corrupt and disgusting excuses for human beings.

[ConservativeMind]

I know the Executive branch has authority over all federal police forces and the army and I know that the other two branches have their own autonomy. But, does any law say what property or place is "off limits" to the Executive branch?

An example: Terrorists succeeded in blowing up the Capitol Building on 9/11. Would the FBI be unable to examine the site for evidence?

[DCPatriot]

It sort of makes the Democrats looks stupid for all their posturing and obstructionist behavior during the Gonzalez confirmation hearings...doesn't it?

[Rockitz]

... something really damaging must be hanging over their heads for them to want to protect some of these criminals.

Filegate- the gift that just keeps giving. I used to think that W was only protecting his old man' reputation, but now I wonder if he's just as dirty.

[Laverne]

Sealing the records to let the idiots in congress calm down is not indicative of republicans being dirty, or the President covering up for something. Hastert threw a hissy fit and acted like a child, and he was joined by Pelosi, Gingrich, Frit and Lott. They have now admitted that the FBI, with the judges signature, were perfectly in their rights to do what they did (search the office of corrupt congressman Jefferson). I doubt the records will have to stay sealed for 45 days; I would expect they will be opened and the investigation will continue sooner rather than later.

[at bay]

3 in the admin with principles, spines and guts. Hoo-rah for them!

While I often disagree with these men, I also admire their intestinal fortitude.

[thoughtomator]

If only their principles weren't so selective, I could get right behind these guys.

[Rockitz]

I, like you, used to think that there were many upstanding people in public service, but now I know that there are but a handful. It became painfully obvious with the illegal immigration issue.

Yes, the border issue certainly helped me decide how bad the corruption is in this country because the propositions flying around the whitehouse and senate defy logic. Yes, the underlying dynamic finally crystallized for me on this single issue. The thought that anyone with an ounce of logic would support propositions that have allowed and will continue to allow our country to be overrun with tens of millions of indigents was incomprehensible? For a while I and many others (possibly you) thought the president and certain senators (dems and pubbies alike):

1) had a heart for illegal immigrants- WRONG! or
2) were reaching out to illegals and trying to build their respective voting constituencies for the future- MOSTLY WRONG!

The overarching truth is, in their worldview, it's a world of business and sovereign nations only serve to restrict business operations and ultimately, profits. Who needs borders? Free trade, cheap labor, and open borders for all! Yep, they're all one world government whores sold out to their big business constituents. That's the only explanation that is consistent with their actions over the last 25 years. In truth, they've all sold us down the river for big business and a one world government which will benefit.... you guessed it.... big business. Anybody who got scared about this has something to hide- plain and simple. If you have an alternative explanation I'd love to hear it.

[malia]

Read Post #10!!

[lilylangtree]

Jefferson is guilty as h*ll. He was caught on videotape like Marion Berry. Feebies had probable cause to search and obtain info. Jefferson is being moddle-coated by the demoncRATS (because of the color of his skin perhaps?) and the pubbies (perhaps for the same reason?). What's going on here? Definitely a one-sided criminal act trying to be whitewashed (no pun intended).

[My Favorite Headache]

I just did and hope that it becomes the case.

[mrsmith]

NYTimes anonymous sources: "saying anything the NYTimes says they said!"

[Laverne]

With all due respect, the Jefferson issue, is not one that deals with immigration (and I'm not supportive of the senate fiasco of the immigration legislation they voted on thursday). I also agree there is corruption in both houses, by both parties. But to suggest that the President is trying to cover up that by sealing the records is absurd. He did it because Hastert was acting like a fool, and the only way Hastert would stop acting like a fool, was to let Hastert catch his breath, and his mind. He has, and the investigation will continue, as I said above, sooner rather than later.

[hermgem]

Two people with principals quite in contrast to those retired Generals (Zini) that waited till retirement before coming forward to tell as that the Iraq war was butchered.

[Bommer]

Hastert threw a hissy fit and acted like a child, and he was joined by Pelosi, Gingrich, Frit and Lott. They have now admitted that the FBI, with the judges signature, were perfectly in their rights to do what they did

They did? When? Thought they were still pissing and moaning!