Gonzales may have perjured himself yesterday
Tonight, word is in from the that some of what Alberto Gonzales said in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee does not match federal documents. As a result, a perjury investigation might be imminent:
Documents show that eight congressional leaders were briefed aboutthe Bush administration's terrorist surveillance program on the eve ofits expiration in 2004, contradicting sworn Senate testimony this weekby Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
The documents, obtained byThe Associated Press, come as senators consider whether a perjuryinvestigation should be opened into conflicting accounts about theprogram and a dramatic March 2004 confrontation leading up to itspotentially illegal reauthorization.
A Gonzales spokesman maintained Wednesday that the attorney general stands by his testimony.
Ata heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Gonzalesrepeatedly testified that the issue at hand was not about the terroristsurveillance program, which allowed the National Security Agency toeavesdrop on suspects in the United States without receiving courtapproval.
Instead, Gonzales said, the emergency meetings on March 10, 2004, focused on an intelligence program that he would not describe.
This comes in the heels of the contempt charges that were issued against Harriet Miers and Josh Bolton.
Back to Gonzales for a second. If the Senate does indeed open a perjury trial against the Attorney General, look for him to resign. Yesterday, Arlen Specter's (R-PA) may have been a message to Bush that many Republicans would support such an investigation unless he leaves. This ongoing scandal is added baggage to the Republican Party, and they are tired of it.
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