Legal News

Michael Mukasey: The First 72 Days

By Peter Lattman

Now that you’re privy to classified briefings and programs, is there anything you’ve seen that changed views you may have had when you were a civilian lawyer?

I’ve seen things in classified details that have in some ways surprised me. But not that would affect my views. I get a daily briefing that is a sobering way to start the day. It’s one thing to know in the abstract that there’s stuff going on out there. It’s another to know the diverse and persistent threats we face.

The above exchange is from a Q&A with AG Mukasey conducted by Law Blog colleague Evan Perez about a government Gulfstream en route to Mexico City. Nice assignment, Perez!

Anyhoo, accompanying the Q&A is a big story examining Mukasey’s first few months as the nation’s lawyer in chief. The verdict: his displays of independence may frustrate Congress and the White House. The story is chock full of anecdotes. Here are some fun ones:

• It’s “M” for Mukasey: Arriving at the FBI’s holiday party, Mukasey went directly to the registration table for surnames starting with M. Staffers gently advised him there was no need to register. He is the boss at the FBI, too.

• D.C.’s Alphabet Soup: Since arriving in Washington, Mukasey — known for his clear and forceful opinions as a judge — has expressed puzzlement at the alphabet soup of acronyms and jargon, notably phrases as “run the traps” or “outside my lane.”
• A Native New Yawker: Mukasey, a big Giants fan (Go Big Blue!), remains a nonresident in Washington. His wife lives in New York, while he commutes weekly.

That’s all fine and well, but is waterboarding torture, Mr. Mukasey? The AG next week returns to the Senate to face the question that nearly ended his confirmation, and Perez preempts the senators by asking the question himself. Mukasey’s answer: “When? At this point in time?” He said his response was an example of what the late New York sports columnist, Murray Kempton, would have described as “constabulary style” or one that “aims at precision but never achieves clarity.”

Reminded that he hadn’t answered the question, Mukasey said: “Yes, I’ve been read into the program, but that’s part of a process. I said I would look at the program. Look at the letters. And give my answers. I haven’t yet figured out precisely when and precisely how. I understand that the time is coming.”

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on January 23, 2008 (boomark / email).