In a story otherwise about how the Bush DoJ solicited recommendations from conservative political organizations to replace not-yet fired US attorneys, Eric Lipton and Scott Shane for the NY Times report: James Comey, the former deputy attorney general, revealed that Vice President Dick Cheney had blocked a proposed promotion for a subordinate of Mr. Comey’s, Patrick F. Philbin.
In written answers to questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Comey suggested that Mr. Cheney opposed Mr. Philbin’s appointment as principal deputy solicitor general because of a clash in 2004 over the National Security Agency’s domestic eavesdropping program. Mr. Philbin, like Mr. Comey and others, believed the program needed changes to be lawful, but Mr. Cheney disagreed. update: Josh Marshall has some more details.
Please consider supporting our work.
I hope you found this article important. Before you leave, I want to ask you to consider supporting our work with a donation. In These Times needs readers like you to help sustain our mission. We don’t depend on—or want—corporate advertising or deep-pocketed billionaires to fund our journalism. We’re supported by you, the reader, so we can focus on covering the issues that matter most to the progressive movement without fear or compromise.
Our work isn’t hidden behind a paywall because of people like you who support our journalism. We want to keep it that way. If you value the work we do and the movements we cover, please consider donating to In These Times.
