Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy hearings

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Dismissal of U.S. Attorneys Controversy ( v • d • e )
Articles
Administration Officials Involved
Involved Administration Officials that Resigned
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary
Main article: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
See Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy documents for publicly released documents and hearings transcripts.

The United States House Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, have oversight authority over Department of Justice (DOJ). In 2007 it conducted conduct public and closed-door oversight and investigative hearings on the DOJ's interactions with the White House and staff members of the Executive Office of the President. A routine oversight hearing on January 18, 2007 by the Senate committee was the first public congressional occasion that Attorney General Gonzales responded to questions about dismissed United States Attorneys (USAs). Both committees invited or subpoened past and present Department of Justice officers and staff to appear and testify during 2007, and both committees requested or subpoenaed documents, and made the documents that were produced publicly available.

Contents

[edit] Calendar of public hearings

[edit] Sources and access to committee calendars

[edit] Hearing dates with witnesses

  • January 18, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice
Witness: Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General
  • February 6, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: Is the DOJ Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys?
Witnesses:
Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas)
Paul J. McNulty, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Mary Jo White, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP, New York, NY
Laurie L. Levenson, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA
Stuart M. Gerson, Partner, Epstein Becker & Green, Washington, DC
  • March 6, 2007 - House and Senate Judiciary Committees, in separate hearings
  • House: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law: H.R. 580, Restoring Checks and Balances in the Confirmation Process of U.S. Attorneys
  • Senate: "Part II–Preserving Prosecutorial Independence"
Witnesses for both hearings:
William Moschella, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice
Carol Lam, Former U.S. Attorney
David Iglesias, Former U.S. Attorney
Bud Cummins, Former U.S. Attorney
John McKay, Former U.S. Attorney
Daniel Bogden, Former U.S. Attorney
Paul Charlton, Former U.S. Attorney
John Smietanka, Former U.S. Attorney
Representative Darrell Issa, R-California
Former Representataive Asa Hutchinson
Former Deputy Attorney General George Terwilliger
  • March 29, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys? -– Part III
Witness: D. Kyle Sampson, former Chief of Staff to Attorney General Gonzales
  • April 19, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: "Department of Justice Oversight
Witness: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
  • May 3, 2007 - House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law: Hearing on The Continuing Investigation into the U.S. Attorneys Controversy
Witness: James Comey, Former Deputy Attorney General
  • May 11, 2007 - House Judiciary Committee
Witness: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
  • May 15, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys? –- Part IV
Witness: James Comey, Former Deputy Attorney General
  • May 23, 2007 - House Judiciary Committee: The Continuing Investigation into the U.S. Attorneys Controversy and Related Matters
Witness: Monica K. Goodling, former DOJ White House Liaison
  • June 5, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys? -- Part V[1]
Panel 1: Bradley J. Schlozman, Associate Counsel to the Director, Executive Office for United States Attorneys.
Former Interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri; Former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General; Former Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC
Panel 2: Todd Graves, Former U.S. Attorney, Western District of Missouri, Kansas City, MO
  • June 7, 2007 - Senate Judiciary Committee: "Prevention of Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation in Federal Elections: S. 453[2] - Senator Cardin presiding.
Witness List:
  • Panel I
Charles Schumer, United States Senator [D-NY]
Barack Obama, United States Senator [D-IL]
  • Panel II
Douglas F. Gansler, Attorney General, State of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Jack B. Johnson, County Executive, Prince George’s County, MD, Upper Marlboro, MD
  • Panel III
Hilary O. Shelton, Director, Washington Bureau, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP], Washington, DC
John Trasvina, President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund MALDEF, Los Angeles, CA
Richard Briffault, Joseph P. Chamberlain Professor of Legislation, Columbia Law School, New York, NY
William B. Canfield, Principal, Williams & Jensen PLLC, Washington, DC
Peter N. Kirsanow, Commissioner, United States Commission on Civil Rights, Washington, DC
  • June 13, 2007 Senate Committee on Rules and Administration[3]
Nominations to the Federal Election Commission
Steven T. Walther (Nevada), Nominated to term expiring April 30, 2009 (vice Scott E. Thomas, term expired)
Robert D. Lenhard (Maryland), Nominated to term expiring April 30, 2011 (vice Danny L. McDonald, term expired)
David V. Mason (Virginia), Nominated to term expiring April 30, 2009 (reappointment)
Hans von Spakovsky (Georgia), Nominated to term expiring April 30, 2011 - Recess appointee to the FEC (vice Bradley A. Smith, resigned)
  • June 15, 2007 'House Judiciary Committee, staff investigators
Private interview:[4]
Mary Beth Buchanan, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, former director of the U.S. Justice Department's Executive Office for United States Attorneys from June 2004 to June 2005


  • July 24, 2007 Senate Judiciary Committee
Witness: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Concerning Oversight of the Department of Justice.[5]

[edit] Gonzales testimony

[edit] Senate Judiciary Committee - January 18, 2007

Gonzales stated:[6]

“ What we're trying to do is ensure that for the people in each of these respective districts, we have the very best possible representative for the Department of Justice," Gonzales testified, adding later: "I would never, ever make a change in a United States attorney for political reasons or if it would in any way jeopardize an ongoing serious investigation. I just would not do it. ”

[edit] Senate Judiciary Committee - April 19, 2007

Gonzales Testimony
April 19, 2007 ( v • d • e )
Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Hearing on the dismissal of U.S. attorneys
Testimony of Alberto Gonzales, United States Attorney General
Video
Opening Statements
Senators' Questions and A.G.'s Testimony


Alberto Gonzales was scheduled to testify before Congress on April 17, 2007[7] (Link to Gonzales's April 19, 2007 opening statement). In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Virginia Tech, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy postponed the hearing until April 19.[8] In advance of his testimony, a separate Gonzales statement was published in the Washington Post on April 15, 2007. He said "While I accept responsibility for my role in commissioning this management review process, I want to make some fundamental points abundantly clear. I know that I did not -- and would not -- ask for the resignation of any U.S. attorney for an improper reason. Furthermore, I have no basis to believe that anyone involved in this process sought the removal of a U.S. attorney for an improper reason."[9] The Gonzales statement responded to the allegations that his previous testimony contradicted Sampson testimony before Congress. Gonzales stated: "While I have never sought to deceive Congress or the American people, I also know that I created confusion with some of my recent statements about my role in this matter. To be clear: I directed my then-deputy chief of staff, Kyle Sampson, to initiate this process; fully knew that it was occurring; and approved the final recommendations. Sampson periodically updated me on the review. As I recall, his updates were brief, relatively few in number and focused primarily on the review process. During those conversations, to my knowledge, I did not make decisions about who should or should not be asked to resign."[9]

On April 19, 2007, Gonzales testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Gonzales received intense questioning from both the Democratic and Republican members on the committee. Many Republicans on the committee openly criticised the attorney general and his handling of the matter questioning his honesty, competence and stating that he should "suffer the consequences" from the controversial firings.[10] Gonzales also admitted during the testimony that when he ordered the firing of the US attorneys he did not know the reason for firing two of them. The attorney general stated that he "didn't have an independent basis or recollection" about the job performance of Nevada U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden. With regards to Chiara, Gonzales stated, "Quite candidly . . . I don't recall the reason why I accepted" staff advice on why to dismiss Chiarra and only after the fact did Gonzales learn "it was a question of . . . poor-management issues."[11] In another interesting exchange, Gonzales stated that he had approved the decision but didn't recall when the decision was made. ("'Well, how can you be sure you made the decision?' Mr. Leahy asked."'Senator, I recall making the decision from this -- I recall making the decision,' Mr. Gonzales replied. "'When?' Mr. Leahy responded."'Senator,' Mr. Gonzales replied. 'I don't recall when the decision was made.')[12] Gonzales stated more than 60 times that he "couldn't recall" certain incidents.[13]

After Gonzales's April 19, 2007 testimony to the Judiciary Committee, both Senators Leahy and Specter expressed their disappointment with the results. Both stated that they still do not have a clear explanation of the reasons the eight attorneys were fired, with Leahy suggesting that political influence was the likely explanation, and Specter suggesting that incompetence might be the likely explanation.[14] Both Senators also expressed the concern that, either way, the controversy was undermining the integrity of the Department of Justice. The White House put out a statement that day saying "the president was pleased with the attorney general's testimony, and that he felt he answered [the] questions, and that he had admitted mistakes were made, but that he has the full confidence of the president." Leahy replied to the interviewer about the White House statement: "Well, the president has set a very low bar, indeed."[14] CNN later reported that White House insiders thought that Gonzales had hurt himself with his recent testimony and described his performance before the Judiciary committee as "going down in flames," "not doing himself any favors," and "predictable."[15]

A few days later, President Bush reiterated "The Attorney General ... gave a very candid assessment, and answered every question he could possibly answer, honestly answer, in a way that increased my confidence in his ability to do the job....[A]s the investigation, the hearings went forward, it was clear that the Attorney General broke no law, did no wrongdoing. And some senators didn't like his explanation, but he answered as honestly as he could. This is an honest, honorable man, in whom I have confidence."[16] Nevertheless, Gonzales continued to come under increasing criticism, including from "key GOP lawmakers".[17]

[edit] House Judiciary Committee - May 10, 2007

Alberto Gonzales testified before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary regarding the dismissal of U.S. Attorneys.[18] His prepared oral, and extended written statements were released in advance of the hearing at the House Judicary Committee.[19][20] Link to Gonzales's oral statement May 10, 2007 Link to Gonzales's extended written statement, May 10, 2007 He provided no additional information regarding the controversy to the frustration and incredulity of many on the committee. He "acknowledged for the first time Thursday that [other] U.S. attorneys might have resigned under pressure from the Justice Department, but said their departures were unrelated to the controversial firings of eight prosecutors last year."[21] Gonzales testified that there was nothing improper about the dismissal or resignations of Graves, Heffelginger, or Yang. He addressed the cases of Biskupic in Wisconsin and Paulose in Minnesota. Unlike the April 19, 2007 hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, several Republicans came to the defense of Gonzales, including Lamar Smith of Texas.[22]

[edit] Senate Judiciary Committee - July 24, 2007

[edit] McNulty testimony

[edit] Senate Judiciary Committee - February 6, 2007

Concerns expressed by Senators Feinstein and Pryor concerning the Senate's preogative in confirming U.S. Attorney nominations in early January were followed up by hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 6, 2007 called by Senator Schumer (D, New York) with Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty as witness.[23][24] McNulty underscored that the seven were fired for job performance issues, and not political considerations. McNulty later called Senator Schumer by telephone to apologize for that inaccurate characterization of the firings, however.[25] At least six of the seven had recently received outstanding job performance ratings. McNulty testified that Bud Cummins, the U.S. Attorney for Arkansas, was removed to install a former aide to Karl Rove and Republican National Committee opposition research director, the 37-year-old Timothy Griffin.[26] Cummins, apparently, "was ousted after Harriet E. Miers, the former White House counsel, intervened on behalf of Griffin."[27][28] In subsequent closed-door testimony on April 27, 2007 to the committee, McNulty said that days after the February hearing, he learned that White House officials had not revealed to him White House influence and discussions on creating the list.[28][29]

McNulty's testimony that the attorneys were fired for "performance related issues" caused the attorneys to come forward in protest.[30][31][28]

[edit] Sampson testimony

[edit] Senate Judiciary Committee - March 29, 2007

Sampson appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 29, 2007 to discuss the firings. At that hearing, Sampson stated that, contrary to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's prior statements, the Attorney General had been involved in the final decision to dismiss the US Attorneys. "I don't think the attorney general's statement that he was not involved in any discussions of U.S. attorney removals was accurate...I remember discussing with him this process of asking certain U.S. attorneys to resign."[32]

In response Gonzales stated "I don't recall being involved in deliberations involving the question of whether or not a U.S. attorney should or should not be asked to resign...I signed off on the recommendations and signed off on the implementation plan. And that's the extent of my involvement...I know what I did and I know the motivations for the decisions that I made were not based on improper reasons."[33] Media attention has highlighting Sampson's inability to recall the events surrounding the Dismissal of the U.S. Attorneys. Sampson could not recall information asked by committee members over a hundred times.[34]

In a press conference on April 3, 2007, President Bush responded to questions about the attorney general and the ongoing controversy by stating: "Attorney General Al Gonzales is an honorable and honest man and he has my full confidence...I will remind you there is no credible evidence that there has been any wrongdoing...I appreciate [the dismissed US Attorneys'] service. I'm sorry that these hearings and all this stuff have besmirched their reputations. It's certainly not the intent of anybody in this administration."[35]

On April 13, 2007, documents were released in response to further Congressional inquiry that appeared to contradict parts of Sampson's testimony. Sampson said during his testimony that "[he] did not have in mind any replacements for any of the seven who were asked to resign" on December 7, 2006. The released emails showed that Sampson had identified five Bush administration insiders as potential replacements for sitting U.S. attorneys months before those prosecutors were fired: Jeffrey A. Taylor, now chief prosecutor in the District of Columbia, Deborah Rhodes, now the U.S. attorney in Alabama, Rachel L. Brand, head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Policy, Daniel Levin, a former senior Justice and White House official who was listed as a San Francisco candidate, and Tim Griffin, a former aide to presidential adviser Karl Rove who was later appointed the top federal prosecutor in Little Rock. In response to this information, Sampson's attorney stated that these candidates were only tentative suggestions and never seriously considered. Justice Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said the list "reflects Kyle Sampson's initial thoughts" and "in no way contradicts the department's prior statements" about the lack of a candidate list."

[edit] Goodling testimony

Monica Goodling served in the Department of Justice and was the Justice Department's liaison to the White House.[36] [37] As such, she had helped coordinate the dismissal of the attorneys with the White House.[36] Congress had called Goodling to testify regarding her role in the dismissals, but after originally agreeing to appear, Goodling cancelled, citing the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.[38][39] On April 6, 2007, Monica Goodling resigned from her position at the Department of Justice.[36]

[edit] House Judiciary Committee - May 23, 2007

Goodling appeared before the House Judiciary Committee, on May 23, 2007, under a grant of limited immunity. She provided to the committee a written statement that she read at the start of her testimony.[40][41] In response to questions during the hearing, Goodling stated that she had "crossed the line" and broke civil service laws about hiring, and improperly weighed political factors in considering applicants for career positions at the Department of Justice.[42][43] Link to Washington Post transcript of the hearing.

Goodling cited McNulty's testimony to the Committee as being "incomplete or inaccurate," and stated that McNulty should have properly disclosed to the committee his:[44]

(1) knowledge of White House role in ceating the list of USAs to dismiss;
(2) knowledge of the White House role in the selection of Tim Griffin as the interim USA;
(3) the DOJ's assessment of the Parsky Commission, an evaluation committee set up in California to assess, screen and put forwarad candidates for political appointments such as for U.S. attorneys;
(4) knowledge of allegations that Tim Griffin conducted vote caging, a potentially illegal partisan effort remove targeted populations from the voting registration lists, during the 2004 Bush presidential campaign. (Such allegations would make Griffin's confirmation by the Senate more difficult.)

McNulty responded in a press release from the DOJ, the same day as the hearing, stating:

"I testified truthfully at the Feb. 6, 2007, hearing based on what I knew at that time. Ms. Goodling's characterization of my testimony is wrong and not supported by the extensive record of documents and testimony already provided to Congress."[45]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "TIME CHANGE: Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys? -- Part V", Calendar, Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, May 29, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-31. 
  2. ^ "Prevention of Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation in Federal Elections: S. 453", Calendar: Senate Committee on the Judiciary Committee:, United States Senate, May 21, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-31. 
  3. ^ "Nominations to the Federal Election Commission: Wednesday, June 13, 2007", Hearings, United States Committee on Rules and Administration, (no date). Retrieved on 2007-06-13. 
  4. ^ Ward, Paula Reed. "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/16/AR2007061601080.html?nav=hcmodule", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-18. 
  5. ^ "Senate Judiciary Committee Calendar", July 24, 2007. 
  6. ^ Eggen, Dan. "Prosecutor Firings Not Political, Gonzales Says: Attorney General Acknowledges, Defends Actions", The Washington Post, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-05-30. 
  7. ^ Gonzales, Alberto. Statement of Alberto Gonzales Full title: Statement of Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, before the Committee of the Judiciary, United States Senate. Concerning Oversight of the Justice Department. (Opening statement released by the Justice Department April 16, 2007, before the Judiciary Committee hearing.) C-SPAN April 16, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.
  8. ^ Gonzales hearing postponed, SFGate.com, April 16, 2007
  9. ^ a b Alberto R. Gonzales, Nothing Improper Washington Post, April 15, 2007
  10. ^ Stout, David. "Gonzales Faces Anger From Both Sides on Senate Panel", The New York Times, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  11. ^ Goldstein, Amy. "Gonzales Says He Didn't Know Why Two Were Fired", The Washington Post, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  12. ^ Johnston first = Eric last = Lipton, David. "Gonzales Endures Harsh Session With Senate Panel", The New York Times, 2007-04-20. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  13. ^ "Administration officials say Gonzales should step down", CNN, 2007-04-20. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  14. ^ a b Gonzales Faces Tough Questioning in Senate (Transcript) Online NewsHour Public Broadcasting System (PBS), April 19, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2007.
  15. ^ "White House insiders: Gonzales hurt himself before panel", CNN, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  16. ^ President Bush Pleased with Attorney General's Testimony Press Release. The White House, April 23, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2007.
  17. ^ "Gonzales vows to stay on as attorney general", CNN, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  18. ^ Congressional Quarterly Transcript Service. "Gonzales Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee: Hearing on Oversight of the Department of Justice, May 10, 2007 (Transcript)", Washington Post, May 11, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  19. ^ Alberto Gonzales. Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales before he House Judiciary Oversight Hearing, May 10, 2007. Department of Justice, May 10, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  20. ^ Alberto Gonzales. Statement of Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General, Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States House of Representatives: Concerning Oversight of the Department of Justice. May 10, 2007 Department of Justice. May 10, 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2007.
  21. ^ Schmitt, Richard B.. "Attorney general frustrates Democrats", Los Angeles Times, 2007-05-11. Retrieved on 2007-05-13. 
  22. ^ Eggen, Dan; Paul Kane. "House GOP Stands Behind Gonzales", Washington Post, 2007-05-11. Retrieved on 2007-05-13. 
  23. ^ Notice of Rescheduled Committee Hearing, Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 9:30 a.m Hearing on "Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys?" United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary January 30, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.
  24. ^ Tom Brune. "Schumer again takes aim on White House", Newsday.com, March 31, 2007. 
  25. ^ "MTP Transcript for Mar. 18, 2007", MSNBC Meet the Press, March 18, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-16. 
  26. ^ Kevin Johnson. "Prosecutor fired so ex-Rove aide could get his job", USA Today, February 6, 2007. 
  27. ^ David Johnston. "White House Is Reported to Be Linked to a Dismissal", The New York Times, February 16, 2007. 
  28. ^ a b c Johnston, David. "Deputy Attorney General Resigns His Post", New York Times, May 12, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  29. ^ Taylor, Marisa; Margaret Talev. "Former deputy attorney general official defends fired U.S. attorneys", McClatchy Newspapers, May 3, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  30. ^ Adrienne Packer. "U.S. attorney rebuts claim performance led to firing", Las Vegas Review Journal, February 8, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-16. 
  31. ^ Dan Eggen. "Fired Prosecutor Disputes Justice Dept. Allegation", The Washington Post, February 9, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-16. 
  32. ^ Jordan, Lara Jakes. "Ex-aide contradicts Gonzales on firings", Associated Press, 2007-03-29. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  33. ^ McNicholas, Kevin. "Gonzales denies talks on attorney firings", Reuters, 2007-03-30. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  34. ^ Milbank, Dana. "Taking One for the Team, When He Could Remember", The Washington Post, 2007-03-30. Retrieved on 2007-04-25. 
  35. ^ "Bush backs Gonzales, says no evidence of wrongdoing", Reuters, 2007-03-31. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  36. ^ a b c Stout, David and Johnsont, David. "A Top Aide to the Attorney General Resigns", New York Times, 2007-04-06. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  37. ^ Schmitt, Richard B.. "Goodling: a power player behind the scenes at the Justice Dept: The former Justice insider, a mystery to many, is set to testify under immunity in Congress on the U.S. attorneys' firings.", Los Angeles Times, 2007-05-23. Retrieved on 2007-05-29. 
  38. ^ Letter from Goodling's attorneys to Senator Patrick Leahy, Judiciary Committee, March 24, 2007
  39. ^ Dan Eggen. "Gonzales's Senior Counselor Refuses to Testify", Washington Post, March 26, 2007. 
  40. ^ Dan, Eggen; Carol D. Leonnig. "Officials Describe Interference by Former Gonzales Aide", Washington Post, May 23, 2007, pp. A04. Retrieved on 2007-05-23. 
  41. ^ Goodling, Monica. "Remarks of Monica Goodling before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States House of Representatives", Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives, May 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-23. 
  42. ^ Stout, David. "Ex-Gonzales Aide Testifies, ‘I Crossed the Line’", New York Times, May 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-23. 
  43. ^ Goodling says she didn't discuss firings with White House. CNN (May 23, 2007).
  44. ^ Scherer, Michael. "Goodling's McNulty-bashing", Salon, Salon.com, May 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-25. 
  45. ^ Scherer, Michael. "McNulty hits back at Goodling", Salon, Salon.com, May 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.