Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to grill James B. Comey about his views on enemy interrogations and government surveillance during a hearing today, The New York Times reports. President Obama’s choice to be FBI director has faced a tough confirmation process in the midst of revelations that the U.S. is conducting…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com President Obama’s nominee for FBI director, James Comey, faces a tough confirmation battle over a host of controversial issues facing the agency. Comey, who served as deputy attorney general in President George W. Bush, is seeking Senate confirmation at a tough time for the FBI, reports The Hill. The Hill reports that…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Sen. Chuck Grassley is questioning the commitment of Attorney Gen. Eric Holder and his Deputy Attorney General James Cole to FBI whistleblowers. In a press released issued Monday, Grassley said one FBI whistleblower case “continues to languish for nine years and a second case sits in limbo for more than four…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com The controversy over the legality of medical marijuana only seems to be getting more and more confusing. The Associated Press reports that James Cole, the number two person at the Justice Department, has written a memo saying state medical marijuana laws do not provide immunity from federal prosecution, and refused to…
By Murray Waas The Atlantic In March 2004, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales made a now-famous late-night visit to the hospital room of Attorney General John Ashcroft, seeking to get Ashcroft to sign a certification stating that the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program was legal. According to people familiar with statements recently made by Gonzales…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com WASHINGTON — Deputy Attorney Gen. James Cole never played in the National Football League — but he certainly knows what it’s like to be a football — a political one at that. David A. Fahrenthold of the Washington Post reports that the Republicans in the Senate on Monday voted to block…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com WASHINGTON — It’s a game of musical chairs over at the Justice Department at 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Gary G. Grindler, who had been filling in as acting deputy attorney general, the number two spot, becomes chief of staff to the Attorney General, the department announced Monday. Grindler is being replaced…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com WASHINGTON — Following months of frustration and opposition from Republicans, President Obama last week used a recess appointment to install James Cole to the number two spot at the Justice Department. On Monday, he was sworn in. The post, deputy attorney general, has been vacant since February. Cole, 58, is a…
