The Most Overlooked Non-Testimony Of The Week, With Thanks To John Conyers

Paul McNulty, Deputy Attorney General of the United States until recently testified before the House Judiciary Committee thursday. His testimony was related to the firings of the Federal Prosecutors but a fundamentally more important question was asked of him - and no answer was given.


43 minutes into the interview as recorded by C-Span Representative Conyers begins his questioning. His first question to Mr. McNulty is not related to the attorney's firings. Conyers noted in a brief statement that a number of subpoenas had been issued by both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees for various materials related to the attorney's firings and that he hoped that the White House would be responsive to them, however - and this is the important part - he said, would it be the Department's policy to assist in the enforcement of those subpoenas, would the Federal Prosecutors be called on to assist?

McNulty danced around it but would not answer the question.

If the answer is 'no' it means they will not obey the law and the law will not be enforced; it means we have no law.

And yes, we have no law. That's what the Republicans have been telling us for years. Only they say as "9/11 changed everything."

but not surprising.

I kind of had noticed we mostly haven't had any law since November 2000. I'll make an exception for Mr Fitzgerald's successful prosecution of Scooter, even though that demonstrates only a marginal victory for adherence to rule of law.

Maybe Mr Conyers will decide the only option left is to move on HR 333, and we can see how the response to impeachment of Dick fairs.

McNulty is one of the people in DoJ who is under investigation. Documents being sought include those from his office. Therefore, he has to remain at arms lenght. He is recused! Nothing bizarre in this, nor is he resisting a lawful order.

recusal, a legal situation in which a judge or prosecutor is removed or steps down from a case or action, often when the person has a conflict of interest such as a prior relationship with a party of the case or is a party in the case.

subpoena, subpoena ad testificandum, a written order issued by a legal authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as criminal contempt of the legal jusidiction.