Manipulation at Justice

The Bush administration has been nailed for more political manipulation of the Justice Department in another report from the agency's inspector general.

Expect more to come. The probe continues into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys allegedly because they did not hew to the Bush administration's political agenda.

This latest report, the second of four expected, confirms what was revealed in congressional hearings last year but fills in more troubling detail.

Top aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales broke civil-service rules by brazenly using political considerations to make hiring decisions for nonpolitical positions. The officials ruled out first-rate candidates because of their political leanings — in one case, because of a spouse's political activities — or elevated others because they fit a conservative ideology. The report includes an account of how one hiring in the Seattle U.S. attorney's office almost fell into the political machine save for assistant U.S. attorney Mark Bartlett calling foul.

Still anticipated are findings related to the firing of the U.S. attorneys, including John McKay, who headed the Western Washington District office. Among the concerns are what might be perjury — remember Gonzales' inartful hemming, hawing and do-not-recalling before Congress — and witness intimidation. One fired prosecutor was warned about cooperating with congressional inquiries or talking to the press.

Especially concerning is the idea that these prosecutors were fired not for failing the duties of their office but for failing the Bush administration's political ends.

For instance, McKay was contacted by an aide to Republican Congressman Doc Hastings, inquiring about his actions related to the controversial 2004 gubernatorial election — in which the Democratic candidate won on the third recount by a mere 133 votes. David Iglesias, a U.S. attorney in New Mexico, fielded calls from a senator and a congresswoman asking whether he would file indictments in a public corruption case before the next election.

Since their congressional testimony, both men have confirmed they were interviewed by House ethics committee investigators.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who said he was disturbed by the latest report, said the agency is implementing changes to make it clear that candidates for nonpolitical positions should not be vetted for their political leanings first.

That's a good beginning. But if the future reports show the same level of brazen disregard for justice and fairness, that can only be the start.