Posted on 11/14/2007 5:40:22 PM PST by silent_jonny
President Bush spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of new Attorney General Michael Mukasey this morning at the Justice Department in Washington. (Transcript)
Also attending the ceremony were Judge Mukasey’s wife, Susan, and their family; Chief Justice John Roberts, who administered the oath of office; and former attorney generals Dick Thornburgh and John Ashcroft.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt at the State Department. Later, Secretary Rice was joined by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at a Middle East briefing on Capitol Hill.
President & Mrs. Bush met with the crew members of Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-116), Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-117), Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-118), and International Space Station Expeditions 14 and 15, as well as the National Troopers Coalition this afternoon at the White House.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the Day:
President Bush: As he embarks on his new responsibilities, Michael Mukasey has my complete trust and confidence. (Applause.) And he's going to have the trust and confidence of the men and women of the Department of Justice. (Applause.) The people here are good people, hardworking Americans. From the headquarters, to U.S. Attorneys' offices, to remote posts overseas, these fine Americans, Judge, are working to keep the American people safe. They work everyday to fulfill the most important function of the federal government, and that's to protect the American people from harm. Their efforts are essential to the security of America. The people who work for justice deserve the very best leadership, and you're going to have it with Judge Michael Mukasey. (Applause.)
Photo of the Day:
President Bush congratulates new Attorney General Michael Mukasey at the conclusion of a ceremonial swearing-in for Mukasey, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at the Justice Department in Washington.
Thank you.
Hi Jonny!
New Attorney General Michael Mukasey listens as President Bush, not shown, speaks during his ceremonial swearing-in, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at the Justice Department in Washington. Behind him is his daughter Jessica Barkoff, grandsons Benjamin Barkoff, 3, Corey Barkoff, 5, standing, and son-in-law William Barkoff, left.
President Bush: The job of the Attorney General is one of the most important in our nation's government. The Attorney General must run the world's largest law firm, and the central agency for enforcement of our federal laws. He must aggressively prosecute gun criminals and drug dealers, hold corporate wrongdoers to account, protect victims of child abuse and domestic violence, and uphold the civil rights of every American.In this time of war, the job of the Attorney General is also vital to America's national security. The Attorney General is responsible for our law enforcement community's efforts to detect, prevent, and disrupt terrorist attacks here at home. He must make certain that our intelligence and law enforcement communities work hand-in-hand to protect the American people from terrorist threats. He must ensure that we do everything within the law to defend the security of all Americans -- while at the same time protecting the liberty of all Americans …
The people who work for justice deserve the very best leadership, and you're going to have it with Judge Michael Mukasey. (Applause.)
You'll find out what I found out: Judge Mukasey is a decent man, an outstanding lawyer, and a strong leader, and I am really looking forward to his wise counsel in the months ahead. Judge, I want to thank you for agreeing to serve our country once again, and congratulations.
And now I ask Chief Justice John Roberts to administer the oath of office. (Applause.)
Attorney General Mukasey: President Bush, Chief Justice Roberts, fellow members of the Cabinet, members of Congress in attendance here today, former attorneys general, family and friends, and my colleagues of the United States Department of Justice. The program for this ceremony reports that after I was confirmed on November 8, 2007, I entered on duty the following day, November 9th. And in a sense, I did. I came to the Justice Department building on that day and took the oath before a small group, including my family and some of the talented people who work on the fifth floor, and became authorized, technically, to perform the duties of the office.But let there be no mistake about it: In my mind and my heart, I was in no meaningful sense the Attorney General until I took the oath a moment ago, here, in this building, before you who are physically here and before you who serve in divisions and units and field offices of this great department throughout this country and around the world.
Attorney General Mukasey: But the reason why I believe that I was not in any meaningful sense the Attorney General until I came before you here, is that my job involves not only an oath, but also a pledge, which I now give you. And that is to use all of the strength of mind and body that I have to help you to continue to protect the freedom and the security of the people of this country and their civil rights and liberties through the neutral and even-handed application of the Constitution and the laws enacted under it.
Dana Perino: ... today the House of Representatives will take up an emergency supplemental bill to fund the global war on terror, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Once again, the Democratic leadership is starting this debate with a flawed strategy, including a withdrawal date for Iraq, despite the gains our military has made over the past year, despite having dozens of similar votes in the past that have failed, and despite their pledge to support the troops. And once again, they plan to send the President a bill that they know he will veto. This is for political posturing and to appease radical groups.The President put forward this funding request based on the recommendation of our commanders in the field. They know what the troops need to accomplish the mission. The Democrats believe that these votes will somehow punish the President, but it actually punishes the troops. This punishes our military planners, our procurement officers and many others who are working on this war effort. If the President is presented with this version of the bill he will veto it.
…Q And by "appeasing radical groups," are you talking about MoveOn.org, et cetera? …
Dana Perino: I am talking about MoveOn.org and CODEPINK, in particular. I would also say that they have held these same -- similar votes over and over again. Dozens of these votes have been held. … And in case they have missed it, our troops are fulfilling their mission in spectacular fashion. They are working to bring down that violence in Iraq, to establish political reconciliation, to improve the economy. People are starting to return to Baghdad and to their homes. Pulling the rug out from under our troops now is the height of irresponsibility.
Hi, ED :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.