There are hints that suggest the Bush administration might not fill all its forcibly-vacated U.S. Attorney slots by bypassing the traditional congressional approval process.
The unusual appointment of an unqualified Republican partisan to an Arkansas U.S. Attorney post has been held up by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and others to justify their concern over the administration’s recent ousting of several top federal prosecutors.
Just look at the case of Tim Griffin, they say — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made the former Republican National Committee oppo research chief the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Congress — which normally must confirm such appointments — won’t do a damn thing about it.
But in at least one other case, there may be an indication that the White House could submit its nominee to congressional scrutiny.
For the soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Attorney posts in New Mexico the state’s GOP senator has suggested replacements. In Griffin’s case, the Arkansas delegation played no role in his selection.
New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici has recommended four individuals as possible replacements for outgoing U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. Iglesias announced his resignation Dec. 19, 2006; it was confirmed that the administration had asked him to resign.
In Arizona, the Justice Department has announced its intention to appoint an interim U.S. attorney who will not face Senate confirmation, as they did with Griffin. Still, Sens. John Kyl and John McCain have recommended Hopi attorney Diane Humetewa to replace outgoing U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton. Charlton announced his resignation on Dec. 19 as well; he did not give a reason for his departure. It’s not clear if the White House requested their input; I’ve called both offices to find out.
In the case of four other known or suspected forced resignations — by U.S. Attorneys in San Diego, San Francisco, Nevada, and Seattle — no senators have been reported to advance names for consideration, and the Justice Department has not announced its plans for installing new top prosecutors.
