In a story written by David Johnston from the NY Times on May 16, 2007 (Bush Intervened in Dispute Over NSA Eavesdropping) Johnston recounts the events that transpired in a 48 hour time frame in 2004 whereby President Bush overstepped his authorized boundaries in a desperate attempt to continue his illegal wiretapping program despite misgivings from the Justice Department.

The unraveling of this tale begins on or about March 9, 2004 when Attorney General Ashcroft had been hospitalized for gallbladder surgery. As a precautionary measure in such circumstances and in the event that something unforeseen happens Attorney General (AG) Ashcroft had handed over the reins of the Justice Department to James Covey, his second in command. The following day or so the authorization originally dolled out via the Patriot Act to the Bush Administration in the wake of 9/11 allowing them to proceed with this illegal program was slated to run out. Bush was frantic!

James Covey, as acting AG, refused to reauthorize this program based on findings from the extensive review conducted by the Office of Legal Counsel whereby they found that this program was not in compliance with the law. According to his best expectations on this issue James Covey felt that it could be fixed and come into compliance in a matter of two to three weeks. However, this was not swift enough for President Bush.

President Bush on the eve of March 10, 2004, in an attempt to circumvent James Covey, sent Andrew Card, his then Chief of Staff, along with his Legal Counsel to the White House, Alberto Gonzales, to the hospital bed of ailing Attorney General Ashcroft despite General Ashcroft’s wife’s forbidding visitors. An aide (Robert Mueller III) to Attorney Ashcroft tipped off James Covey to the events which were about to transpire. James Covey rushed to the bedside of Attorney Ashcroft along with witness/aide Mueller. Alberto Gonzales and Andrew Card tried to toss James Covey out of the room, but Mueller protested and Covey stayed as they begged Attorney General Ashcroft to sign off on this program. Attorney General Ashcroft vociferously refused to sign this document approving the program. Andrew Card expressed concern that there might be more resignations in the Justice Department in an attempt to sway this decision. Attorney General Ashcroft was undeterred. Things were officially at a stalemate.

The White House under the direction of President Bush asked to speak to James Covey on this matter. Now understanding how desperate this Administration was to continue this illegal program James Covey refused to meet with the White House without a witness. To serve as James Covey’s witness Covey selected the Solicitor General, Theodore Olson to be at his side. On the morning of March 11, 2004 there was a terror meeting held in the Oval Office. At this time it was firmly stated that President Bush reauthorized this program on his own accord and without authorization or endorsement from the Justice Department. At the end of this meeting President Bush pulled James Covey aside and asked how long it might take to get things into legal compliance to which Covey replied two to three weeks in his best estimate. President Bush said “do it”, but in the meantime continued his program as it was before.

November 10, 2004 Attorney General Ashcroft resigns along with Commerce Secretary Donald Evans. President Bush said that following their resignations “the Justice Department would best be served by new leadership and fresh inspiration”.

James Covey left the Justice Department in august of 2006. 

On May 17, 2007 Ari Shapiro from NPR reports (story from NPR.org, Gonzales Set to Defend Firing of Prosecutors) in an e-mail from Kyle Sampson; then Chief of Staff to Alberto Gonzales, to Gonzales Sampson wrote that they would “consider using the Patriot Act to avoid senate confirmations” for the new prosecutors. How does this play into the previous scenario? How can Alberto Gonzales continue to deny he had a hand in this dismissal? Can America trust this Administration in light of all of the damning information that has come to the fireground? Where are the leaders in America?

I believe that America is floundering at sea without a lifejacket or liferaft and the sharks are circling. When the leaders of this great country have continually lied to the American public and worked outside off the laws set forth for all people who can we trust? This lawless and carelessly cavalier attitude the current Administration adheres to needs to be replaced not curtailed. President Bush and his Administration have been exposed because they prefer to operate outside of the laws set forth for people like you and I, which leaves us with no alternative but to ask for their impeachment or resignations effectively immediately. I invite congress to begin preparation of impeachment articles at the earliest possible moment. Do your part by calling or writing your local and state representatives/congress people and urging them to act NOW! Impeach this entire Administration! Let leadership reign with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House!

Reference:

www.NPR.org

www.NYtimes.com

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