Gonzales Secret Order Delegated Extraordinary Powers To Aides

The National Journal reports Secret Order By Gonzales Delegated Extraordinary Powers To Aides.

"Attorney General Alberto Gonzales signed a highly confidential order in March 2006 delegating to two of his top aides [Kyle Sampson, Monica Goodling] -- who have since resigned because of their central roles in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys -- extraordinary authority over the hiring and firing of most non-civil-service employees of the Justice Department."

"The existence of the order suggests that a broad effort was under way by the White House to place politically and ideologically loyal appointees throughout the Justice Department, not just at the U.S.-attorney level."

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is already pissed. "This secret order would seem to be evidence of an effort to hardwire control over law enforcement by White House political operatives. This memorandum should have been turned over to Senate and House committees as part of requests made in ongoing investigations."