Dr. Coburn Calls for Resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
April 19, 2007
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), issued the following statement regarding Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
“Attorney General Gonzales is a good man and I have no doubt he is dedicated to serving our country. I do not believe the attorneys were dismissed to interfere with investigations or cases or because of their political positions. However, few would disagree this situation has been handled poorly. The reputations of the dismissed U.S. attorneys have been damaged and the reputations of the Department of Justice and the attorney general’s office have been tarnished,” Dr. Coburn said.
“The attorney general sets the standard of leadership for the Department of Justice and the standard set by Mr. Gonzales in this situation has been unacceptably low. This situation was handled incompetently. It is generous to say the attorney general’s communications about this matter have been inconsistent. The standards used to dismiss the U.S. attorneys should be applied to the attorney general. Leadership requires accountability and mistakes should have consequences. In this instance, the consequence should be the resignation of the attorney general,” Dr. Coburn said.
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