No More Politics in Justice Dept., Mukasey Vows

A Michael Mukasey-led Justice Department won’t be the White House puppet many accused it of being under Alberto Gonzalez, the Attorney General nominee promised as confirmation hearings opened today. “Legal decisions and the progress of cases are decided by facts and law, not by interests and motives,” he said, and promised to advise the president on the limits of executive power.

In nominating bipartisan favorite Mukasey, President Bush has likely avoided a tough confirmation battle, Reuters reports. Sen. Patrick Leahy, who yesterday promised to grill the nominee on Justice Department independence, said he is confident Mukasey will be confirmed. “Restoring the Department of Justice begins by restoring integrity and independence to the position of attorney general,” Leahy said today. (More Michael Mukasey stories.)