Sampson's Outstanding Questions

by emptywheel

Via TPM, Kyle Sampson is heading back to visit the Judiciary Committees today.

Kyle Sampson, former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, will return to Capitol Hill on Friday for a voluntary follow-up interview with House and Senate staffers investigating the firings of eight U.S. attorneys, a source with knowledge of the congressional investigation told FOX News on Wednesday.

It's possible that in his quiet time since he testified, Sampson started remembering things that he simply couldn't recall the last time he saw Chuck Schumer. Or it may be that he wants to answer some outstanding questions from the last appearance.

But here's one question he was directed to go back, ensure he knew the correct answer, and at least inform the committee in writing of those answers.

SCHUMER: Yes. What he's been asked is names who were on the list at one point but then removed from the list. I think that's very important to know.

SPECTER: These are people on the list to be asked to resign...

(CROSSTALK)

SAMPSON: Some of whom are current United States attorneys.

SCHUMER: Yes. Thank you.

SPECTER: I think that's fair.

SCHUMER: Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member.

Go ahead, Mr. Sampson.

[Sampson starts by explaining the USA for the Middle District of North Carolina was once on the list. He then clams up.]

SAMPSON: After October 17th, I recall that four additional U.S. attorneys were added to the list, including David Iglesias. But, ultimately, three of those came off.

SCHUMER: And who were they?

SAMPSON: Those were all redacted in one of the documents. And I think I remember who the three are. I have not had the opportunity to review unredacted documents.

So I hesitate, again, to name these, because I to the best of my recollection...

SCHUMER: Well here's what I'd like you to do: Name them. And if you go back and look at the documents or whatever else in terms of your recollection, you are incorrect, you can notify the committee and we'll change the record.

SPECTER: Well, Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that if the witness knows the identity, as I've already agreed, fine; but if he doesn't know them, if he's speculating or his recollection is hazy, you're going to be identifying people who are inappropriately...

SCHUMER: Let's do this...

(CROSSTALK)

SAMPSON: ... my concerns, Mr. Chairman.

SCHUMER: I understand that. Why don't we ask you to go look and see if you have the document.

SAMPSON: I have the document in its redacted form. And so I think I know who those three were, but I'm not 100 percent...

SCHUMER: Why don't you go try to figure out who they are. And I would ask you in a couple of days in writing to submit names that you're sure of, in addition. Would you be willing to do that?

SAMPSON: I could do that. Yes, I can do that. Yes, sir.

SCHUMER: Thank you. OK. [my emphasis]

At the very least, Sampson agreed to send the names of those USAs who were on the list, but came off. You know, presumably people like Stephen Biskupic. But given how much more pressing questions about those who narrowly avoided getting fired have gotten, I wouldn't be surprised if SJC hauled Kyle's ass back in for a more detailed discussion about why and how these people got on--and off--of the list of those to be fired. And given that some of these questions directly pertain to the documents that--thus far--DOJ has refused to turn over to SJC, I can well imagine that the committees thought it would be more useful to have Sampson explain all of these details directly to the committee staffers.

Comments

[William Ockham]

I don't think Biskupic was ever on the list (at least not the ones we have). I'm pretty sure McDevitt was on the list until near the very end of the process.

[Jeff]

You know I've got to hope they also want to ask him more about Fitzgerald, to see if he has refreshed his recollection about conversations he had with people about it other than the one with Miers and Kelley in early 2006 which he sought to present misleadingly as the only one that happened.

[Sally]

ew, "voluntary follow-up" is confusing. Did Rove have voluntary follow-ups with Mr. Fitzgerald?

[emptywheel]

Oh, I believe he did, Sally.

[Frank Probst]

Sally--As a matter of fact, he did. Marcy's probably up to speed on which appearances, but I can remember Rove going in at least once because he specifically asked to do so.

[Sally]

Mr. Sampson must have learned the lesson that Rove's voluntary follow-ups kept him out of the pokey (at least for now, she said hopefully).

[Mary]

I'm still waiting for him to be 100% nailed down on the chain of authority. It didn't happen last time.

I'd like to see him asked who has the power to remove USAs; if a COS to the AG decided next week to remove USAs how he, and those who work with him to accomplish those removals, would be authorized and how everyone they are dealing with would know they were authorized; then how he actually received authority and from whom and what he did to make sure that he had authority from the only person who could give it - the President.

No one has nailed down why anyone thought they had authority to remove USAs, even if Gonzales and Miers were "in meetings" with them - where was the President's authorization?

So another question might be - Mr. Sampson, when the President, Tony Snow and Dana Perino all made statements that the President was not involved in any manner whatsoever with the firings, do you have reason to believe they were not telling the truth?

And if they were telling the truth, can you explain how a plan involving the participation of numerous members of DOJ, including the AG, to remove over a half dozen USAs went forward, to fruition, without one person receiving authorization from the President for the removals?

[John Casper]

I'm calling Leahy's office and dictating Mary's questions to whomever answers.