Statement of the Center for American Progress

November 10, 2004

We had hoped that the president would nominate a new attorney general who would respect the rule of law and restore the honor, integrity, and good name of the Department of Justice.

Unfortunately, the existing record raises grave doubts as to whether Mr. Gonzales is the person to do that. By condoning the use of torture, seeking to evade U.S. obligations under the Geneva Conventions, and disregarding the constitutional rights of detainees, he has contributed to a climate that has placed U.S. soldiers at greater risk and brought the American system of justice into disrepute.

The Senate should insist on complete access to the memoranda he has written on these subjects and a full accounting of his role in these critical decisions.

Visit the Alberto Gonzales resource page.