Peter D. Keisler, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has turned in his walking papers. His excuse ? He wants to spend time with his family, usually codetalk for the shit is about to hit the fan.
I can find no discussion about why he could really be leaving but lets make a few educated guesses. He has been the Head of the Civil Rights Division which should mean he had much to do with decisions about the National Security Letters that were declared Unconstitutional, once again, yesterday. Could that have forced his had ? Who knows ?
Keisler has also had much to do with denying the Civil Rights of the prisoners in Gitmo, but again details a few so we can only wonder.
In April 2005, Keisler defended the administration's policy of military tribunals in a case that was overturned yesterday by the Supreme Court.
In his argument before the D.C. Circuit, Keisler said that the president should be allowed to exercise his power to prosecute and punish al-Qaeda terrorism suspects for war crimes without intervention from U.S. courts. http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Another thing I find rather interesting is this from the AP.
Bush nominated Keisler to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but the Senate has not acted to confirm the nomination as required by the U.S. Constitution. http://www.streetinsider.com/...
The White Houses own site tells us about the appointment they are seeking and it's one of those seats that could be of great benefit to Bush down the line as everything starts to fall apart.
Mr. Keisler has been nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which hears appeals from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
There is much more to guess about. AAG Keisler has submitted many papers under seal about the Kepting vs ATT, also know as one of the cases about the Warrantless Wiretaps that is currently before a 3 Judge panel awaiting a decision. Much of this could have to do with providing Immunity to the Telecoms and or allowing the Gov. to keep claiming States Secrets whenever confronted with being caught breaking the law. IMHO, another flawed decision by the DOJ.
Just to add a little more info on this AAG, he is also one of the important people that decided to drastically lower the fine imposed on the Big Tobacco Co.s
I have absolutely no proof that AAG Keisler has done anything wrong or unlawful, in fact on doing this research he seems to have been pretty good at his job for the most part. What bothers me is that his leaving the DOJ now when it is at it's weakest because of numerous resignations can only put the DOJ in a further state of disarray.
Ok, now you know as much as I do. Anyone with any other insight is encouraged to add in the comments.
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