Editorial: Ashcroft’s damaging arrogance

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 4:19 a.m.

Attorney General John Ashcroft has received a fair amount of criticism for the administration's war on terrorism. High on the list for critics are the possibility of using military tribunals for apprehended terrorists and the detention of hundreds of foreign nationals following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Members of Congress also have been upset that Ashcroft hasn't been forthcoming in explaining the administration's anti-terrorism policies.

Finally, last week, Ashcroft appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions, but only after the committee essentially had to order him to do so. Ashcroft, in his testimony to the committee, teed off on critics who worry that the anti-terrorism agenda threatens civil liberties. "To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty, my message is this: Your tactics only aid terrorists, for they erode our national unity and diminish our resolve," Ashcroft said. "They give ammunition to ... enemies and pause to ... friends." So much for using honey to win over your opponents. Ashcroft had an excellent forum to explain the reasoning behind the administration's anti-terrorism efforts, most of which we support, but he frittered it away by arrogantly questioning the patriotism of those who have spoken against the president's pol icies.

Ashcroft was a U.S. senator, but apparently his new job has produced amnesia about Congress' role in setting public policy. In wartime, the president has extraordinary powers as commander-in-chief, but Congress also has an important oversight role, acting as a check to make sure the president doesn't get carried away. For that matter, the administration would do well to seek input from members of Congress, who might find weaknesses or offer improvements to the anti-terrorism initiatives. Isn't it better to correct mistakes now, before the administration signs off on the measures?

Friday, the day after Ashcroft's appearance before his former colleagues, the Justice Department tried to downplay his comments. An Ashcroft spokeswoman contended that the attorney general actually wanted to encourage more public debate, not discourage it. Despite the denial, it is unmistakable that the intent of Thursday's broadside was to cow his critics by questioning their patriotism. The president is enjoying extraordinarily high approval ratings, but the attorney general's arrogance not only could eventually erode public support for the administration, it also -- and more importantly -- could result in the creation of flawed policies that could end up hurting the U.S. war on terrorism.