Sen. Schumer Calls For Alberto Gonzales To Resign
Sen. Schumer Calls For Alberto Gonzales To Resign
Today on CBS’s Face the Nation, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Schumer said Gonzales has “been even more political than his predecessor, Attorney General Ashcroft,” and that Gonzales “either doesn’t accept or doesn’t understand that he is no longer just the president’s lawyer, but has a higher obligation to the rule of law and the Constitution, even when the president should not want it to be so.”
“For the sake of the nation,” Schumer said, “Attorney General Gonzales should step down.” Watch it:
Schumer’s call echoes a New York Times editorial this morning. The Times examined Gonzales’ record beyond the U.S. Attorney purge and the FBI’s Patriot Act violations:
– Gonzales “repeatedly defended Mr. Bush’s decision to authorize warrantless eavesdropping on Americans’ international calls and e-mail.”
– Gonzalez “was an eager public champion of the absurd notion that as commander in chief during a time of war, Mr. Bush can ignore laws that he thinks get in his way.”
– Gonzales “was disdainful of any attempt by Congress to examine the spying program, let alone control it.”
– Gonzales “helped formulate and later defended the policies that repudiated the Geneva Conventions in the war against terror, and that sanctioned the use of kidnapping, secret detentions, abuse and torture.”
– Gonzales “has been central to the administration’s assault on the courts, which he recently said had no right to judge national security policies, and on the constitutional separation of powers.”
– Under Gonzales, the Justice Department “has abandoned its duties as guardian of election integrity and voting rights. It approved a Georgia photo-ID law that a federal judge later likened to a poll tax, a case in which Mr. Gonzales’s political team overrode the objections of the department’s professional staff.”
– Under Gonzales, the Justice Department “has been shamefully indifferent to complaints of voter suppression aimed at minority voters. But it has managed to find the time to sue a group of black political leaders in Mississippi for discriminating against white voters.”
Transcript:
SCHIEFFER: Senator Schumer, what do you think ought to be done about this situation?
SCHUMER: Well, Bob, you know, the Justice Department is different than any other department. In every other department, the chief cabinet officer is supposed to follow the president’s orders, request, without exception.
But the Justice Department has a higher responsibility: rule of law and the Constitution. And Attorney General Gonzales in his department has been even more political than his predecessor, Attorney General Ashcroft.
Attorney General Gonzales is a nice man. But he either doesn’t accept or doesn’t understand that he is no longer just the president’s lawyer, but has a higher obligation to the rule of law and the Constitution, even when the president should not want it to be so. And so this department has been so political that I think for the sake of the nation, Attorney General Gonzales should step down.
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a failed attorney general for a failed president… it fits, eh…?
looks like gonzo’s serving as somewhat of a lightning rod for the r’s frustrations… personally, i wish they’d put ‘em where they belong - with george…
it strikes me as so funny… it was clear from the get-go that this guy was nothing but another bush toady… but, n-o-o-o-o-ooo… he sailed right through the confirmation hearings…
And, yes, I DO take it personally
March 11th, 2007 at 10:54 amGonzo is the worst AG ever, that smirk on his mug when he has continuously lied to Congress just pisses me off. He needs to quit yesterday, a year ago yesterday. The neocon madmens top law dog is just as criminal as they are, Gonzo needs a jail cell for his pathetic corruption.
March 11th, 2007 at 10:56 amIf it were only that simple…
You want Abu neutered, Senator, then do something about his boss… (Hint; Impeachment). By the time you guys get through all your multiple investigations and get around to serving him the papers, he’ll be loading the moving van…
March 11th, 2007 at 11:01 am…
a good start… finally…
but, i’d still like to see his diploma… (to paraphrase olberman)
March 11th, 2007 at 11:02 am…
His diploma, yes that would be warranted but I would like a urine analysis as this dumpling stated that he did not believe habeas corpus was intrinsiclly explicit in the Constitution for American citizens.
HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 11th, 2007 at 11:05 ami said back then Gonzales was gonna make us WISH for Ashcroft…now everyone knows its true.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:06 amTo Senator Shcumer: talk is cheap. You know Gonzales is not going to step down, and Bush isn’t going to replace him. Impeach Gonzales.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:07 amYou’re right midwestblue,
None of these criminals will leave on their own, or out of a sense of honor. Honor doesn’t exist for them. They have to forced out by impeachment and conviction.
The sooner the better, for f*ck’s sake.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:10 ami said back then Gonzales was gonna make us WISH for Ashcroft…
Comment by n69n
Man,you know it’s bad if it’s gotten to that depth.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:17 amStep aside, my ass. When’s the trial?
March 11th, 2007 at 11:20 amAlberto may just quit, according to several news sources. He is in over his head, complicit in lawbreaking and constitutional violations, and all around him people are beginning to behave as if he has body odor.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:22 amRather than defending Gonzalez, the Reich-Wing will attach Schumer in 3–2–1–
March 11th, 2007 at 11:24 amI agree that he should step down. But, it won’t really solve anything. Bush will just put another one of his lackeys into the position. Bush doesn’t seem to grasp the concept that the Attorney General is supposed to be working for the people of the United State, not for him.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:29 amI wonder if the ABA has considered disbarring Gonzalez for violating his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States?
Could you have an Attorney General of the United States, if he’s no longer an attorney?
March 11th, 2007 at 11:29 amLet’s try Impeachmnet for his attorney generalness. That way no pardon upon conviction. Loyalty can only last so long.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:34 amBush likes Gonzales, so Schumer is going to be swiftboated for sure.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:37 amschumer thinks this makes him “a nice man”?? he’s a crook!
March 11th, 2007 at 11:38 amSen. Specter is implying that AG Gonzales needs to be replaced as well. Thank goodness we no longer have to rely entirely on Sen Specter. Previously all he’s done is point out what this administration is doing egregiously wrong, threatening to do something to stop it and then doing nothing.
Democrats need to thoroughly investigate and then censure or impeach as required.
This needs to be done repeatedly, and on many topics. The record needs to be set straight before George Bush and Richard Cheney leave office as what is improper and what is illegal.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:49 amWell, Schumer now needs to back up his strong talk with well-conducted investigative hearings.
Go for it Chuck.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:49 amAnd I’m calling for Alberto Gonzales to be locked away in prison forever for treason to the Constitution.
March 11th, 2007 at 11:49 amFor the latest news, hearings, legal filings and other essential documents on the politically motivated prosecutor firings, see:
March 11th, 2007 at 11:50 am“The Bush DOJ U.S. Attorney Scandal Documents.”
Alberto Gonzales and Lindsey Graham want YOU to go to their CONCENTRATION CAMPS:
Reveal the truth of CONCENTRATION CAMPS built inside the United States.
Google “Swift Luck Greens” and read all about the illegal partnership between the army and homeland security (in direct violation of the posse comitatus act) to operate FORCED LABOR PRISON CAMPS FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES - not the families of illegals as you have been told, but you and YOUR FAMILY.
These camps were built by Haliburton’s KBR with your tax dollars. Swift Luck Greens is built in Cheney’s home state of Wyoming, adjacent to the Seminoe Reservior near Hanna.
REVEAL THE TRUTH.
Lindsey Graham is the most dangerous “Conservative” in America. Anyone who watched the testimoy of AG Gonzales nearly a year ago and witnessed the wink & nod exchange between these two knows what the real deal is. They are preparing to implement Martial Law.
Graham stated that he was concerned about the need to track “Fifth Column Movements” here in the US, and Gonzales smiled and said: “Weve said that we’d be happy to listen to your ideas.”
What was that exchange about, really?
Lindsey Graham perceives the “enemy within” to be you and me - and he wants to “track our movements.” For what purpose Mr. Graham? Who in the hell are you to decide who is an enemy of the US Constitution? It’s not about that, is it Mr. Graham? After all, that document is just a “Goddamn Piece Of Paper” in the immortal words of your faux-leader.
No wonder you are in favor of warantless wiretaps and all of the extra-Constitutional provisions of the Orweillianly named Patriot Act.
Who is this “Fifth Column” that you are so afraid of, Mr. Graham, and what prey tell might they reveal if they are allowed to seek and reveal the ENTIRE TRUTH if left to their own devices?
You have attempted to Hijack America, and paint issues in black and white, to meet the ends you seek. but it is YOUR ACTIONS, and those of this administration, that are illegal. That fifth column that you so fear, we call them PATRIOTIC AMERICANS DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION FROM THOSE WHO WOULD SEE IT DESTROYED. That means YOU, Mr. Graham. YOU are the enemy of this Republic and this Constitution - and when the truth is fully revealed, it will be YOU who the NEW AG will be investigating for your efforts to destroy FREE SPEECH in the United States Of America.
You and your co-consirators should be concerned - because the TRUTH is hot on your trail.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:01 pm“Schumer’s call echoes a New York Times editorial this morning.”
Chuck seems upset the junior Senator from New York seems to be getting a tad more attention than himself.
But if Chuck parrots the once respected Times, that’s enough for me! The “burka lady” of journalism, the New York “Times”, has bent over and grabbed her ankles with regards to our enemies. Unfortunately they are not satisfied in leaking every bit of intel they can get their hands on, they are are on a search and destroy mission. Sad thing is, Pinchy, the self-loathing fool, wants to destroy us.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:12 pmBefore working for Governor Bush Abu’s only other major experience was as Enron’s real estate lawyer.
Really.
What did Schumer, Specter, et al expect?
March 11th, 2007 at 12:14 pmWhat did they expect from Enron’s real estate lawyer?
March 11th, 2007 at 12:17 pmJust take him prisoner and deliver him to Guantanamo where he will get a remedial course on Law(breaking). Then, when a new AG is nominated, just sit on the nomination until Gonzales spills the beans via a waterboarding ride.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:22 pm[…] know we’re not always the biggest fans of Senator Chuck Schumer, but he’s right on target today: Attorney General Gonzales is a nice man. But he either doesn’t accept or doesn’t understand […]
March 11th, 2007 at 12:26 pmAnyone remember when Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus both resigned rather than carry out Nixon’s order to fire Archibald Cox? Those were the days
Of course, Robert Bork didn’t mind doing Tricky Dick’s dirty work.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:31 pmGonzalez will go down in history as one of Pres Bush’s most ardent henchmen, always willing to go the extra mile to please his Dear (mis)Leader and get others to follow the Leader as blindly as he does.
Alberto “torture is not torture” Gonzalez.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:35 pmAnd I’m calling on the AG to submit himself to each and every “interrogation method” used during his tenure.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:36 pmComment by valiant venus — March 11, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Well, if it’s none other than Mitey Coprolite/Varmint Genus, former marine and ace lawyer from San Diego.
Varmint Genus, why don’t you drop the elementary school jabs at the NYT and make a more “meaty” comment: Tell us how Gonzalez’ redefinition of torture is consistent with the Geneva Convention, and why the interrogation methods advocated by him do not consist a violation of basic human rights. C’mon, use your lawyerly skills. Dazzle us.
/sarcasm off
March 11th, 2007 at 12:52 pmCan you say “Obsequious Instrument” ??
March 11th, 2007 at 12:56 pmThe man lied under oath and should be removed from office. End of story.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:58 pmI think Midwestblue and others are on the right track.
Gonzales (and a number of his colleagues) should be impeached and barred from “any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States”, as it says in Article 1, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.
John Dean wrote about this subject in December, and the idea has grown on me since then.
At the very least, the discovery process could show us more of what the administration has been doing behind our backs. At most, his/their time in “public service” is permanently ended and things move on to the civil and criminal courts.
Even if we can’t turn the whole crew over to the International Criminal Court for trial, should we just let the henchmen go free in 2008 to be future political candidates or Supreme Court nominees?
Resignation just isn’t enough, Chuck.
March 11th, 2007 at 1:01 pmGonzales is criminally minded.
March 11th, 2007 at 1:01 pmIt’s Schumer who should resign
http://www.macsmind.com/ wordpress/ 2007/ 03/ 10/ imus-nukes-schumer-on-his-hypocrisy/
March 11th, 2007 at 1:02 pmThis is the extreme administration:
March 11th, 2007 at 1:13 pmWorst president
Worst Defense Secretary
Worst Attorney General
Most deceitful Vice President
Most incapable Secretary of State
Most dishonest,
most mendacious,
most belligerent,
most war-like,
most corrupt,
most destructive,
and most self-serving administration in history.
what about signing statements - gonzales is surely integral to that little bit of extra-constitutional bit of bushliar-criminal action.
March 11th, 2007 at 1:34 pm.
I’m waiting for the first wingnut to claim that Schumer is being racist and anti-Latino
March 11th, 2007 at 1:50 pmgood
March 11th, 2007 at 1:57 pmNo he’s just full of it.
March 11th, 2007 at 2:01 pm[…] on CBS’s Face the Nation, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to […]
March 11th, 2007 at 2:27 pmvaliant venus
Blah blah blah, the same bullshit over and over. Clinton did it, Right?
This turd of an AG stated that US Citizens have no right to Habeus Corpus.
Breaking the Constitution does not make the United States safer. I know that’s way over your head, so go back to your normally scheduled circle jerk with your Republican buddies and pray Bush only lands on his ass the next time he takes out his bike.
March 11th, 2007 at 2:40 pmRather than defending Gonzalez, the Reich-Wing will attach Schumer in 3–2–1–
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — March 11, 2007 @ 11:24 am
schumer thinks this makes him “a nice man�? he’s a crook!
Comment by dr rick — March 11, 2007 @ 11:38 am
14 minutes….what took you so long?
March 11th, 2007 at 2:44 pmGonzales, like everyone else in the govt, except a sitting president (as I understand it) can be prosecuted for felonies committed both in and out of his or her office. For that reason, why bother with impeachment of anyone but Bush, but investigate, indict and try them all for felonious conduct and defrauding (lying to the people and congress). Now I do not specify how one does this. I can suppose that Congress raises a special prosecutor to conduct the business demand Gonzo leave under threat of arrest and incarceration, etc.
So, why impeachment, just use the existing statutes on criminal conspiracy, fraud, RICO, etc. and let the chips fall all over Washington. As always, the issue is: Who will bell the cat?
March 11th, 2007 at 2:49 pmComment by Marie — March 11, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
Excellent!!!
March 11th, 2007 at 3:08 pm#41 - Bnf,
March 11th, 2007 at 3:13 pmIt took him twelve minutes his original post through the spell checker.
i believe he will step down–getting tossed out will cost the administration much more, so this is their best solution. i’m sure they’re spending the weekend trying to figure out how to have him resign while saving some face for the administration–my guess–”the partisan attacks would make it difficult for AG gonzalez to perform his duty effectively”, and then start attacking all of the investigations the dems are performing, and how it stops government from functioning.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:18 pmwhat about signing statements - gonzales is surely integral to that little bit of extra-constitutional bit of bushliar-criminal action.
.
Comment by pluege — March 11, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
Not just Gonzo….the most misinformed and dangerous person is the administration is DAVID ADDINGTON!!!
He’s not bright. He misreads the Constitution in the most perverted (sp?) ways.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:18 pm[…] Video here […]
March 11th, 2007 at 3:31 pmI’ll try it again - the TP filter blocked this the first time I posted:
Marie, add to your list the other extreme:
Greatest transfer of wealth to the top 1%.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:45 pmInquisitor General Alberto VO5 Gonzales IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST POLITICALLY CORRUPT, LAWLESS, CRIMINAL officer in the history of the Justice Department–UNDER Gonzales and his predecessor John Ashcroft’s tenure, the department’s new name is the “INJUSTICE DEPARTMENT”!!!!! Gonzales and his cronies David Addington, John Yoo, and other CRIMINALS of Bushland Uber Allies, including AIDERS and ENABLES like that RAT-FACED CREEP Lindsey Graham, MUST BE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and THE RULE OF LAW OF THE LAND along with CHIMPya, Torticola Cheney, Rove, Rice, Feith, Perle, Dumbsfailed, WolfFARTwhizz, Cad-Hadley, Haggy Miers, et cetera AD NAUSEUM and EXECUTED, OF COURSE FOR THEIR HIGH CRIMES BOTH DOMESTICALLY IN AMERICA AND INTERNATIONALLY AROUND THE WORLD!!!!!
March 11th, 2007 at 3:47 pm[…] Sen. Schumer Calls For Alberto Gonzales To Resign […]
March 11th, 2007 at 4:10 pmSince there’s no legal means for Congress to get rid of Gonzales, let’s hope the Dems keep the pressure on Bush to fire him.
While it’s likely that Gonzales is not the architect of the numerous abuses of power, he’s certainly happy to oblige Bush, Rove and Cheney in whatever travesty they think up next.
As to the argument that Bush will simply replace Gonzales with someone just as likely to follow orders, everytime the Dems take a moral stand against BushCo, the country as a whole, wins.
March 11th, 2007 at 5:21 pm#49 - Anastasia,
March 11th, 2007 at 5:56 pmActually, Congress can impeach Gonzo. He is an official of he government, not an employee of BushCo. The problem is the Senate where a simple majority does not carry out the conviction phase.
Gonzales has sworn to uphold the law of this land and to ensure it’s complience. and not make an interpetation of the constitution. It seems that he did not enforce the law. He should be remove from office.
March 11th, 2007 at 6:12 pmAlberto Gonzales, you are a joke and hack.
Gonzo testifying in front of Congress with a smirk on his face: “The constitution does not expressely grant all American citizens the right to due process.”
Fu(k you Gonzales, you can go to hell, hell, hell you treasonous b@stard.
Senator Arlen Specter’s response (paraphrasing): “You better be careful you’re treading on being held in contempt.”
March 11th, 2007 at 6:38 pm[…] Saying that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales “either doesn’t accept or doesn’t understand that he is no longer just the president’s lawyer, but has a higher obligation to the rule of law and the Constitution,” Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for Gonzales to resign today on Face the Nation. You can see the video on ThinkProgress. […]
March 11th, 2007 at 6:38 pmYes, well it’s wishful thinking that you can get this scofflaw to resign.
He has shown that he thinks that he and the administration can game the Congress and Constitution repeatedly. For evidence, just watch his smirking attitude anytime he gives testimony.
He will only resign, if forced out….just like any of the rest of these crooks.
March 11th, 2007 at 7:37 pmIt appears that Alberto Gonzales forgot that in any capacity he works he is applied to uphold law and justice above all else - including politics, patronage, and power. As White House Counsel and now Attorney General he has stabbed law and justice in this country straight into the ground. To think that this is the man that Bush wanted on the Supreme Court!? The firing of these US Attorneys may not be illegal or against policy, but the circumstances reek of political retribution and payback. And to think in the case of Carol Lam, all she did to deserve getting the can is to prosecute a successful case against crooked and convicted former congressman Duke Cunningham. If Cunningham was a Democrat, Bush would probably have given her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After all, he bestowed this highest civilian achievement to George Tenet and Paul Bremer two instigators in the failed policy in Iraq. Time and time again George Bush never ceases to demonstrate that he lacks one of the most important aspects of real leadership - surrounding yourself with good people. Alberto Gonzales is a nuisance and a threat to the law, and to our judicial system and democracy. The last place on earth where you should find the execution of political revenge throug law is in the Office of the United States Attorney General. Gonzales is a better political hack than he is an Attorney General. He makes John Ashcroft look reasonable. And that’s saying something.
March 11th, 2007 at 9:34 pmSenator Schumer appears to be our enemies best friend. He likes anyone who supports cowardism and dislikes anyone who desires to protect our freedom.
March 11th, 2007 at 9:47 pmSenator Schumer is our enemies best friend. Attorney General Roberto Gonzales is a man of character, backbone and desires to protect our freedom. Too bad Senator Schumer has grown so fond of that yellow stripe running down his back.
March 11th, 2007 at 9:52 pmEt tu, Troll?
March 11th, 2007 at 9:59 pm#56 - Ed Tedder,
March 11th, 2007 at 10:02 pmGonzo has the backbone of a nematode.
Ed Tedder,
I liked you better as “null.”
March 11th, 2007 at 10:18 pmAttorney General Roberto Gonzales is a man of character, backbone and desires to protect our freedom.
Comment by Ed Tedder
Maybe Attorney Roberto Gonzales, if there is such a person, is a man of character who desires to protect our freedom. As for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, he has been trying to turn the USA into a banana republic.
March 11th, 2007 at 10:39 pm[…] (R-SC) was asked about Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) call for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Graham said, “I think the fact that Senator Schumer asked for him to step down means he […]
March 11th, 2007 at 10:48 pm[…] be. Reuters quotes Democratic Senators, saying Gonzo should step down. Here’s video of Shumer calling for Gonzo’s head. The good boys over at TPM stopped pulling their punches long ago. In this post, they point out […]
March 12th, 2007 at 1:02 amPLEASE KNOW, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION PROHIBITING A SITTING VICE PRESIDENT OR PRESIDENT FROM BEING SUED OR INDICTED FOR CRIMES. We are working on a class action lawsuit, People of the United States v. Richard B. Cheney and George W. Bush, and there is an active case in the District of Columbia District Court, Valerie Plame Wilson and Joseph Wilson v. Cheney, Libby, Rove and Armitage.
March 12th, 2007 at 2:33 amDear Cynthia, post 61,
March 12th, 2007 at 4:16 amSIGN ME THE HELL UP.
Does anyone know, is it a psychologically understood phenomena how development gets retarded and arrested at an adolescent age, and then you wind up being a die hard republican? Is that like a well documented phenomena, because I swear, that’s all I can see when I hear these people, is playground children and adolescents.
March 12th, 2007 at 4:19 amDear Senator Schumer,
While I’ve applaud everything you have done in Congress thus far, I do not applaud your incorrect and misleading remarks on the View today stating that there are no grounds for indicting Libby, Cheney, Rove, et al, with Treason.
You are either misinformed or ignorant about US Consitutional law, or think Americans are stupid to say such a thing. Either way, you have lost the respect of many New Yorkers who are not easily fooled by lies or political spins…
You should have known better.
We all know that Chaney, Libby, Rove, et al, violated the CIA Protection Act by “outing” CIA agent Valerie Plame. This was an act of treason, a high crime which is defined in our Constitution (Article II, Section 2) as giving “aid and comfort†to our enemies. In a time of war, this not only compromised our national security, but also endangered the lives and missions of other CIA operatives around the world.
If you are afraid to call TREASON TREASON, then you should vacate your seat in the Senate
When news gets out about your “view” on the View, you can kiss your re-election good-bye.
March 12th, 2007 at 4:13 pmI applaud Senator Schumer’s comment against this marionette that calls himself an attorney general. The Bush administration is nothing more than the Nixon administration on major steroids. These people under the blessings of this flunkie has trampled the constitution and broke the law in more ways than we can count. It is a disgrace what our country has become due to the imbecilic ways of this administration.
March 12th, 2007 at 8:19 pmThe fear that I have is that the Dems won’t have the balls to follow through and subpoena Rove et al and that he and Gonzo will fall through the cracks, ditto Cheney…ditto Bush. I think they should all be brought up on war crimes charges and treason. Then legally and unceremoniously hanged.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:05 pm