Political appointees at the Department of Justice violated the law and broke policy by basing hiring decisions on perceived political affiliation, according to an internal report.

A large percentage of qualified candidates for the department's Honors Program and Summer Law Intern Program were "deselected" based on their work with liberal leaning organizations like Planned Parenthood, the report said. But those with conservative leanings were accepted, investigators from the Office of Professional Responsibility and Office of Inspector General found.

The report listed the organizations that candidates placed on their resumes. None were tribal or Indian groups.

Two Bush administration political appointees were singled out for violating federal law and policy. But since they no longer work for the department, they aren't likely to face punishment.

U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said he accepted the recommendations in the report. "I have also made clear, and will continue to make clear, that the consideration of political affiliations in the hiring of career Department employees is impermissible and unacceptable," he said in a statement.

Separately, department investigators are looking into allegations that other hiring decisions were based on political affiliation, sexual affiliation and other factors.

Get the Story:
Ideology-Based Hiring at Justice Broke Laws, Investigation Finds (The Washington Post 6/25)
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Report Assails Political Hiring in Justice Dept. (The New York Times 6/25)
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