Another top Justice official quits
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Another top Justice Department official involved in the controversial firing of several U.S. Attorneys has announced he's resigning.
Mike Elston, chief of staff to departing Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty is stepping down next week, Justice Department officials said Friday.
Elston's departure had been anticipated after McNulty announced in May that he will leave the Justice Department this summer to pursue a career in the private sector.
Documents released by the Justice Department to Congressional investigators have shown Elston was involved in discussions with other high level Justice officials about plans to remove eight U.S. attorneys last year.
The controversy has already prompted the resignations under pressure of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson and his Senior Counsel and White House liaison Monica Goodling. Michael Battle who headed the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys which oversees the federal prosecutors resigned voluntarily.
Gonzales has announced he expects to serve through the remaining 18 months of the Bush presidency.
–CNN Justice Producer Terry Frieden
What a travesty. Gonzales should have resigned already. Why does Bush back this guy so strongly, and how can we force him out?
Like rodents jumping a sinking ship.
Answer to first question...third sentence.
I believe Alberto was Attorney General in Texas when Bush was Governor. Bush was called for Jury Duty. Alberto got Bush out of Jury Duty is what I've heard during his term as Governor so he wouldn't have to admit to the drunk driving case...
I imagine that the day after Congress goes on summer recess AG the AG will resign and the country gets Miers as recess appointment to fill the role for the rest of the term without congressional approval.
What is Reid's plan to prevent any more recess appointments? Will one senator constantly stay around to prevent an official recess from taking place?
To Jeff Spangler:
What an excellent analogy! Congrats!
Bush will back Gonzales to the end. Otherwise, who would protect him from being impeached?
Wow. When is Bush going to catch up with the trend?
It is evident that something is not right with the top brass in the Justice Department. I am glad to see Paul MCNULTY step down.
Personally, I have never cared for his particular brand of justice from his days in the "Easter Virginia Federal Court".
Gonzales seems to careless about what the public or Congress thinks about him staying in office as Attorney General of the United States. He seems to only care about the power, prestige, and benefits that he is entitled too while hold the job. Hopefully, Congress will find a means to get rid of these parasites that seems to cling on to public office and embarrass our nation further
Always interesting to see who else has been ordered to fall on their swords for this corrupt administration.
Now if only the press would renew their investigations of the domestic spying issue. That seemed to disappear - almost like someone hoped that if it wasn't mentioned anymore, it would go away as though it had never existed.
How many people, possible innocent of actual crimes, have to be a scapegoat for Gonzales? All of these firings stink of Rove-ian tactics, all in the name to save face and protect the card-carrying "club members" of the Bush administration.
Attorney General Gonzales for the good of the country and the Department of Justice step down!
The lot of rampant rodents should have been exterminated loooong ago!
That IMPEACHMENT has not happened is a travesty and disgrace.
Justice, Law....our Constitutional Rights
have been tainted and tampered with.
WHO could EVER trust the governing bodies of National government again?!
Gonzalez is a crook just l;ike Bush and they are both a national disgrace to our country and should be prosecuted and inprisoned with Scooter Libby and Cheney should be in the cell next to them.
We all now know how Gonzalez and Bush handled border security and now want amnesty for illegal mexicans, all for cheap slave labor for corporations.
Remember Bush is all for big business and outsourcing,oops there goes your job.
Tehy embarrace my country