Possible Perjury Charge for Gonzales
Perjury is a serious crime. Alberto Gonzales may have well committed it when testifying before a Senate committee, but what did Gonzales possibly lie about? Just a possible conflict between Justice Department and White House lawyers over the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program. He’s not accused of lying to cover up a crime (or even an immoral sexual encounter) but simply not informing Senators that government lawyers disagreed over something. This is very inside baseball even for D.C. political junkies.
I must be missing something. Steve Benen fleshes things out a little, but it’s still inside baseball stuff. I’m not the only one wondering. James Joyner writes,
Moreover, as unpopular as this administration is, the politics of this make little sense. This matter is incredibly complicated and convoluted, owing to the classification and technical nature of the programs in question, the long timeframe over which all this has evolved, and the intermingling of so many other issues. Indeed, having read the major news stories on the latest charges this morning, I’m not sure I quite understand them. And I’ve been paying far, far more attention to this than Joe Public.
For now I’m pooh-poohing the perjury accusation slightly, but it’s just another reason why Gonzales should resign and go away. Everytime he opens his mouth he damages his credibility and hurts the President. Gonzales has to go. If the White House fears a confirmation circus for his replacement the President could wait until the Congress recesses and fill the position with a recess appointment.
“Senator May Seek Gonzales Perjury Probe” [via memeorandum]
You’re hopeless.