Gonzales: Firings were not improper

Pete Williams Justice correspondent • Profile

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales spoke to NBC News' Pete Williams in an exclusive interview on Monday about the controversy surrounding the firings of U.S. attorneys. The following is a transcript of their discussion: Pete Williams: Mr. Attorney General, what is it that you would like people to know about this controversy?

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: Let me begin with the attacks on my credibility, which really have pained me and my family.  You know, I have grown up — I grew up with nothing but my integrity.  And someday, when I leave this office, I am confident that I will leave with my integrity.  The United States attorneys that were asked — to resign — were appointed by this president, they serve, like me, at the pleasure of the president.

I asked for their resignation not for improper reasons.  I would never have asked for their resignations to interfere with a public corruption case or in any way to interfere with an ongoing investigation.  I just wouldn't do that.  And if you look carefully at the documentations we've provided to Congress, there's no evidence of that.

But just to be sure, I've asked the Office of Professional Responsibility at the department to look into this.  And — they will be working, along with the Office of Inspector General, to make it clear and reassure the American people that nothing improper happened here.  Our record in public corruption at the department is extremely strong.  And I think if you look at the record, you'll see that whether or not you're a governor, whether or not you're a member of Congress, whether or not you're a deputy secretary at a — a Cabinet agency, whether or not you're a local official, whether or not you're Republican, whether or not you're Democrat, we have an obligation.

We've upheld that obligation to ensure that public officials do not violate the public's trust.  I believe in truth and accountability, Pete.  And everything that I've done is supportive of that principle.  I directed the department to turn over over 3,000 pages of documents.

I directed the department officials participate in interviews and — and hearings before the Congress.  As — as I've indicated, I've asked OPR to be involved, to work with the Office of Inspector General so we can reassure the American public that nothing improper happened here.  I've got nothing to hide in terms of what I've done.  And we now want to reassure the American public that number improper happened here.

If I find out that, in fact, any of these decisions were motivated, the recommendations to me were motivated for improper reasons to interfere with the public corruption case, there will be swift and — there will be swift and decisive action.  I can assure you that.
  
Williams: Meaning people would be fired?

Gonzales: Absolutely.  Because there is no place for that.  Our prosecutors have to — there has to be no question about the integrity, the professionalism, undue influence of prosecutions in connection with public corruption kind — kinds of cases.  And if I find out that any of that occurred here involving the Department of Justice officials, yes, they will be removed.

Williams: Can you answer some of the questions that have come up over the weekend?  As you know, there was a — an email that came out Friday night that showed that ten days before the firings there was a meeting in your office which you attended to discuss the firings.  And yet when you talked to us here at the Justice Department two weeks ago, you said you were not involved in any discussions about the firings.  Can you — can you explain what seems like a contradiction?

Gonzales: Let — let me just say — a wise senator recently told me that when you say something that is either being misunderstood or can be misunderstood, you need to try to correct the record and make the record clear.  Let me try to be more precise about my involvement.  When I said on March 13th that I wasn't involved, what I meant was that I — I had not been involved, was not involved in the deliberations over whether or not United States attorneys should resign.

After I became attorney general, I had Kyle Sampson coordinate a department review of the performance of United States attorneys.  And I expected him to — to consult with appropriate Department of Justice officials who had information and knowledge about the performance of United States attorneys.  From time to time, Mr. Sampson would tell me something that would confirm in my mind that that process was ongoing.

For example, I recall him mention to me that — inquiry from the White House about where were we in — in identifying underperformers?  And there are other similar type reminders that occurred during this process that I'm going to discuss specifically with the Congress.  I was never focused on specific concerns about United States attorneys as to whether or not they should be asked to resign.  I was more focused on identify — or making sure that the White House was a prop — was appropriately advised of the progress of our review.  And I was also concerned to ensure that the appropriate Department of Justice officials, people who know — knew about the performance of — of United States attorneys, that they were involved in the process.

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