Why US attorneys were fired: the evidence so far
The paper trail on the firings suggests many reasons, none definitive.
By Peter Grier | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitorfrom the March 27, 2007 edition
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WASHINGTON - The scribbled memo appears to be a draft of talking points for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. At the top of the page, underlined, is a single word: "Why."
The memo goes on to assert that eight US attorneys were fired for good reason. But it also cautions against releasing too much specific data about why each individual was pushed out.
"May offer some information to senators," says point No. 4, "but AG believes it's important to avoid getting into personnel decisions."
Events haven't followed that plan. In recent days, as the political furor in Washington has grown, the Justice Department has released thousands of e-mails and documents dealing with the dismissals. Yet at the heart of the case remains that single word, posed as a question. Why?
Why were those particular attorneys fired, anyway? Bush administration officials have said it was for performance-related reasons. Many congressional Democrats say they believe the real reason is politics.
An examination of the vast documentary record made available in recent days shows that Justice Department officials did discuss perceived performance shortcomings in those who were let go. But much of that discussion occurred after the firings developed into a political firestorm.
Most of the prosecutors who got the ax appear to have had no idea it was coming. E-mails depict shock – and some bitterness – among those fired.
Clearly, at Department of Justice headquarters in Washington there was a scale of dislike for those fired. Top department officials wanted some of the US attorneys out more than they did others. And it appears they didn't think that they needed to document their thinking or actions.
"We do not need cause, so there is not necessarily an objective record," reads the scribbled talking points memo, which was among the papers released March 19 by the Justice Department.
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