The White House stalls

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Special Counsel Scott Bloch last week accused the Justice Department of blocking his office’s investigation into the firing of eight U.S. attorneys yet another example of the arrogance of the Bush administration.

In a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Bloch said Justice Department officials have repeatedly told him to set aside his investigation until an internal investigation is completed. It is akin to a stalling tactic that Bloch said would push the investigation “into the very last months of the administration when there is little hope of any corrective measures or discipline possible.”

He added that White House Counsel Fred Fielding has refused to speak with him for more than two months.

Bloch, even though he is a presidential appointee, doesn’t have much power to compel the Justice Department to do anything. The Office of Special Counsel is a small, independent agency charged with protecting the rights of whistleblowers and federal workers but limited in its ability to pursue investigations.

Bloch has asked for documents from the Justice Department related to the firing of several attorneys and has been told to wait. He sent a complaint to the Justice Department, alleging mismanagement by former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Rachel Paulose, who now works at the Justice Department in Washington. By law, Bloch said, the Justice Department is required to look into the complaint and report back to him. Bloch said the complaint was dismissed out of hand.

Bloch is in a battle with the Bush administration. He opened an investigation into Bush’s former political adviser Karl Rove, who is accused of illegally using federal agencies for political gain. The Bush administration has tried to turn the tables by investigating Bloch on allegations that he retaliated against employees and dismissed whistleblower complaints improperly.

None of this should be a surprise. The Bush administration has acted imperially, showing a blatant disrespect for the law, which it sees as optional, and targeting its opponents.

The administration should comply with Bloch’s requests and Bloch should continue pushing the case until he gets answers.