Unfortunately, there were those in Congress who insisted on changing the wording of that law from "shall" grant a de novo hearing to "may" grant a de novo hearing.
So Whittemore was within the letter of the law to not grant a de novo hearing, but he sure ignored the intent of the law.
Because of the weak wording of that law, GWB can't use the National Guard to enforce it.
The whole thing is very very sad. But GWB is not the one at fault in all of this.
Interesting paradox if Congress sends in US Marshalls to enforce the Congressional subpoena, GW sends in the Secret Service to protect the Attorney General and Jeb has to send in the Florida National Guard to take down the Pinellas County Sheriff and the local police.
Brothers Karamazov?
"Unfortunately, there were those in Congress who insisted on changing the wording of that law from "shall" grant a de novo hearing to "may" grant a de novo hearing. "
Nope...the wording said "shall" and it also said that the findings from previous court records could not be used. Look up the statute.