Officials vowed to resign, not return papers

The Washington Post ^ | May. 27, 2006 | DAN EGGEN and PETER BAKER

[Dubya]

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department signaled to the White House this week that the nation's top three law enforcement officials would resign or face firing rather than return documents seized from a Democratic congressman's office in a bribery investigation, administration sources said.

The possibility of resignations by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales; his deputy, Paul McNulty; and FBI Director Robert Mueller was communicated to the White House by several Justice officials in tense negotiations over the fate of the materials taken from Rep. William Jefferson's office, according to the sources. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

[BulletBobCo]

Ruh roh!

[AprilfromTexas]

I'm glad someone is making a stand for what is right instead of 'politically correct'. Good luck to them...

[Thebaddog]

Doesn't that kind of tell you that W might be needing a spine stiffener? The Harriet Meiers fiasco is another example.

[68skylark]

The three who threatened to resign look like they may be real heroes. But really, it's hard to say what's going on here. I hope we'll learn more soon.

[operation clinton cleanup]

I'm glad someone is making a stand for what is right instead of 'politically correct'. Good luck to them...

You got that right! There must be some juicy stuff in there for them to make a stand.

[downtownconservative]

What we know for sure is that Jefferson is a crook!

[FlingWingFlyer]

This new trend of investigators finding "the smoking gun" and being told they are not allowed to use it to get a conviction has got to stop.

[Darkwolf377]

OK, so now we LIKE Gonzales? Up until this story he was probably the most-loathed member of Bush's cabinet, but now he's our guy? OK, just checking to make sure I know the prevailing wisdom around here.

P.S. Is this "Zogby is accurate" or "Zogby's brother defends Islamofascists!" Week, and is Dick Morris currently The Oracle or the Toe-Sucker, and is Peggy Noonan out of touch or does she have the pulse of America?

For the answers I guess we have to check their opinion of the President--if they bash him they are IN, if not they're all lunatics.

[kenth]

White House officials were not informed of the search until it began last Saturday and did not immediately recognize the political ramifications, the sources said.

That's because there shouldn't have been any political ramifications. The only political ramifications of obtaining evidence of a possible felony should have come only from democrats, and only because we expect them to be corrupt. Stupid republicans. I can't believe this is the same party I couldn't wait to be old enough in which to register to vote.

[sourcery]

The best aspect of this story is that one or more high government officials are willing to resign over a matter of principle--and their principles in this case are correct: Congressman are not above the law, except in a few limited, well-defined ways as specified in the Constitution--and the Constitutionally-specified exceptions explicitly do not apply to Felonies.

[John Jorsett]

OK, so now we LIKE Gonzales? Up until this story he was probably the most-loathed member of Bush's cabinet, but now he's our guy? OK, just checking to make sure I know the prevailing wisdom around here.

Is it an either/or proposition? Just like the President, can't we like him for some reasons, and dislike him for others? I've never gotten 100% agreement out of anybody in office.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

I do wonder if Gonzales is grandstanding publicly and if some of this bravery is orchestrated. But I am for the exposure and prosecution of Jefferson (and all crooks), BIG time.

[Paperdoll]

>This new trend of investigators finding "the smoking gun" and being told they are not allowed to use it to get a conviction has got to stop<

Almost as bad as suing our Marines because some bystanders got killed in a war zone!!!!!

[Iam1ru1-2]

It appears backbones among Conservatives have not completely decayed. But it's hard for these few to brace themselves an carry those who don't have one any longer.
If Bush chooses to fire or accept their resignation, then the Conservative movement will dissolve like the backbones of most conservative leaders in our nations capital.

[Past Your Eyes]

Find some mouse turds in our Cheerios this mawnin did we? Sheesh.

[HarleyLady27]

Good on Gonzales....its about time some republicans grow a back bone and stand up for what is right....

These papers were taken out of the crook's office by a court order...hello...court order...issued by a Judge....and for the Head Cop of the Country to stand up to the crooks is marvelous!!!!

Now stand down, hasert, frist, and the bush administration and let the people that know what they are doing do their work....

This William Jefferson D-LA is a CROOK!!!! plain and simple....

[Hildy]

There must be a lot of names in those papers for it to go this far...this is going to be very interesting.

[Renderofveils]

If Bush chooses to fire or accept their resignation, then the Conservative movement will dissolve like the backbones of most conservative leaders in our nations capital.

I disagree. The conservative movement will move on to another party, be it a new party that better encompasses what conservatives want, or sucking it up and throwing in with the Libertarian party. The longer the (R)s throw in their lot with the (D)s, the more likely there won't be any (R)s around in a few years.

[TomGuy]

May have to change my former opinion of AG Gonzales, if he takes this kind of stand.

I am impressed that he and his 2 colleagues would threaten to resign if the WH fails to back them up.

[His predecessor failed to get much backing from the WH during the 9-11 Committee revelations.]