Sen. Coburn tells Gonzales to resign over firings

Friday, April 20, 2007  

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) told U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign over the firings of several federal prosecutors.

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday, Coburn said the best way for the Department of Justice to move on from the scandal was for Gonzales to leave. “I believe you ought to suffer the consequences that these others have suffered," said Coburn, who also sits on the Indian Affairs Committee.

Gonzales faced skepticism and criticism from Democrats and Republicans. They pointed out several inconsistencies in his statements about his role in the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys, five of whom represented states with significant Indian Country.

Gonzales denied he or anyone acted improperly or fired the prosecutors for improper reasons. He apologized for his handling of the matter.

Get the Story:
Dana Milbank: Maybe Gonzales Won't Recall His Painful Day on the Hill (The Washington Post 4/20)
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Senators Chastise Gonzales at Hearing (The Washington Post 4/20)
Gonzales Says He Didn't Know Why Two Were Fired (The Washington Post 4/20)
On a Very Hot Seat With Little Cover and Less Support (The New York Times 4/20)
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Gonzales Endures Harsh Session With Senate Panel (The New York Times 4/20)

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