John Ashcroft in The Washington Post

On War & Peace: Push anti-terrorism laws despite Congressional skepticism

Ashcroft wants Congress to act now on its “modest set of proposals” in light of what he said was the very real possibility that terrorists are planning additional attacks. [Some Members wanted more] time to adequately digest proposals that could have serious, unforeseen consequences for rights that Americans now take for granted.

The administration’s bill would make it easier for law enforcement agencies to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists by expanding wiretap authority from single phone lines to multiple modes of communication linked to a suspect, such as cell phones and e-mail. It would also expand the definition of terrorists to include those who “lend support” to terrorist organizations, and it would allow immigration officials to “detain and remove” them. It would permit law enforcement agencies to share information-including grand jury testimony-with intelligence agencies, and it would let law enforcement officials not only freeze terrorists’ assets but also seize them.

Source: J.Lancaster & W.Pincus, Wash. Post, p. A5 on Bush Cabinet Nov 25, 2001

On Principles & Values: Common-sense conservative

John Ashcroft characterized himself [at his confirmation hearing] as a “common sense conservative” willing to compromise with political foes. Ashcroft recalled that when he led the National Association of State Attorneys General, “I understood I had to sacrifice some of my advocacy roles.” Ashcroft said he would follow that practice as attorney general.

Ashcroft assured his former colleagues on Tuesday that he could push his personal beliefs aside and enforce laws as they are written by Congress and interpreted by the Supreme Court even though he may disagree with them. “My primary personal belief is that the law is supreme, that I don’t place myself above the law, that I shouldn’t place myself above the law,” he said. “So it would violate my beliefs to do it.” If his religious faith ever were to come in conflict with his enforcement of the law, “then I would have to resign,” he said.

Source: By Libby Quaid, Associated Press/Wash. Post on Bush Cabinet Jan 17, 2001

On Principles & Values: Law is supreme, above his personal beliefs

Sen. Leahy questioned Ashcroft’s opposition to Bill Lann Lee as head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division and Clinton’s nomination of Surgeon General David Satcher. While Ashcroft gave Lee high marks professionally, he said at the time that Lee’s beliefs “limit his capacity to have the balanced view of making judgments that will be necessary for the person who runs the division.” In other words, Leahy said, Ashcroft had the same questions for Lee and Satcher that Democrats now have for Ashcroft: Will he be able to enforce laws with which he disagrees?

Ashcroft characterized his differences with Lee and Satcher as policy issues. He said he voted against Lee because of “serious concerns about his willingness to enforce” the Supreme Court’s decision limiting preferences for minority companies in awarding government contracts. Satcher, Ashcroft said, had backed AIDS studies in Africa that withheld treatment from some pregnant women with HIV to test the effect of a new approach.

Source: By Libby Quaid, Associated Press/Wash. Post on Bush Cabinet Jan 17, 2001

The above quotations are from Media coverage of nationwide political races in The Washington Post. Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of nationwide political races in The Washington Post. Click here for other excerpts by John Ashcroft. Click here for a profile of John Ashcroft.
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Page last updated: Dec 15, 2021