DoJ all but 'operating on autopilot'

[babylonsister]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19857833/

DoJ all but 'operating on autopilot'
By Brooke Masters in New York
Updated: 12:43 a.m. ET July 20, 2007

Resignations and the on­going furoe over allegedly politicised hiring and firing at the US justice department have left so many top positions vacant that the department is all but operating on autopilot, the Financial Times has learnt.

Six top DoJ officials have quit since February, when the sackings of at least nine US attorneys prompted an outcry in Congress. Outside Washington, 23 of the 93 US attorneys' offices, which investigate and try most cases, are devoid of permanent political leadership.

The remaining top officials, including Alberto Gonzales, attorney-­general, are the subject of multiple investigations by Congress and the DoJ's inspector-general.
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That has forced lawyers in the field to make decisions with much less input from Washington than in the previous six years, often on contentious topics such as whether to seek the death penalty in states where it is unpopular. The practical result has been to depoliticise many field offices, giving thousands of career DoJ attorneys freedom to resolve cases the way they see fit.

"There's open contempt between the field and main justice ," said one career prosecutor, who like others did not want to be named lest they attract attention from Washington. "The field is fine. We just do what we do. The department is crippled."

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[ThomWV]

1. So Any Maverick Prosecutor Can Go Berserk Without Interference From Washington

No guidance from above, appointed because of ideology, and entrusted with the full power of Government. Oh, and as of last night not subject to prosecution, him or her self

[babylonsister]

2. I'd say it's totally broken, but who's going to fix it? nt

[Graybeard]

5. This administration has total contempt for government...

...all government. They do not want to actually RUN anything. All they want to do is USE very specific agencies and authorities for the benefit of the GOP. They have corrupted every department to this cause.

[Demeter]

3. The Whole Government And Most of the Economy Is, Too

People are just going through the motions, keeping low profiles, and praying to get clear before the whole damn thing blows up.

I'd rather be in labor than in the US. At least labor ends.

[Dhalgren]

4. One thing that the Bush administration can't hide

is that it is crippled inside. (Thanks John)

[Robbien]

6. This is true of all federal government agencies

The only directive being given from DC is the order to "help OUR people get elected". Any other action taken by government agency employees is considered to be a distraction from the main directive.

[rodeodance]

7. maybe not so bad?------if you think about it--were those who left giving

unbiased opions?

[L. Coyote]

8. Correction. Changes implemented by Bushco centralized decision making

For example, corporate fraud charging must be approved by the Deputy AG. This article is misleading in that regard.

Also, many top officials under investigation are recused from participating in specific areas, specifically anything to do with investigating them.