‘A heavy burden of proof’

Excerpts from the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales testified:

“The truth is that these firings haven’t been explained, and there is mounting evidence of improper considerations and actions resulting in the dismissals. The dismissed U.S. attorneys have testified under oath they believe political influence resulted in their being replaced. If they’re right, the mixing of partisan political goals into ... law enforcement is highly improper.”

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy

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“You come to this hearing with a heavy burden of proof to do three things: First, to reestablish your credibility; second, to justify the replacement of these United States attorneys; and third, to demonstrate that you can provide the leadership to the United States Department of Justice.... I have insisted both publicly and privately that you be given your so-called day in court to give your responses. You do so in the context of testimony from a number of people in the Department of Justice who have contradicted certain of your public statements.”

Sen. Arlen Specter

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“Let me be clear about this: While the process that led to the resignations was flawed, I firmly believe that nothing improper occurred. U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president. There is nothing improper in making a change for poor management, policy differences or questionable judgment, or simply to have another qualified individual serve -- I think we agree on that. I think we also agree on what would be improper. It would be improper to remove a U.S. attorney to interfere with or influence a particular prosecution for ... political gain. I did not do that. I would never do that.”

Alberto R. Gonzales

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“Mr. Attorney General, once appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate as attorney general, we all understand that you’re expected to cast aside all partisan politics and serve only the interest of justice and of the American people. The Justice Department is expected to investigate and prosecute those who violate our laws completely blind to their partisan political affiliation. Public confidence in your fidelity to these ideals of course is essential. Without the public’s confidence in the impartial administration of justice, our entire judicial system is called into question. Sadly, your actions have severely shaken the confidence of the American people in you and in your ability to fulfill your public trust.”

Sen. Herb Kohl

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“To me, there has to be consequences to accepting responsibility. And I would just say, Mr. Attorney General, it’s my considered opinion that the exact same standards should be applied to you in how this was handled. And it was handled incompetently. The communication was atrocious. It was inconsistent. It’s generous to say that there were misstatements.... And I believe you ought to suffer the consequences that these others have suffered. And I believe that the best way to put this behind us is your resignation.”

Sen. Tom Coburn

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“Based upon the recommendation, what I understood to be the consensus recommendation of the senior leadership in the department

Gonzales

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“Once the administration started to make representations to Congress and the American people about how or why the firings came about, those representations had to be accurate and complete. Yet documents produced by your department are inconsistent with public statements and congressional testimony of other officials, and we just don’t have a straight story on what transpired and whether the motivations for what happened were pure.”

-- Sen. Charles E. Grassley