Gonzales says firings were not political

WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said the firings of eight U.S. attorneys was "flawed" but there was nothing improper and he would resign if ineffective.

"The moment I believe I can no longer be effective, I will resign as attorney general," Gonzales said Thursday in testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.

Gonzales told the panel, "I'm going to work as hard as I can to re-establish trust and confidence with this committee and members of Congress and, of course, the career professionals at our department."

In a blunt statement, U.S, Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said, "Your conduct of this department has made it more difficult for these professionals to their job effectively."

Gonzales said the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year was justified, even if the process was flawed, and took responsibility for misstatements he might have made. He said he had "limited involvement" in the process that led to the firings.

In his opening statement, he said the fired prosecutors "deserved better."

"While the process that led to the resignations was flawed, I firmly believe that nothing improper occurred. U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president," Gonzales said.

Gonzales told U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., that he couldn't recall details of a key Nov. 27 meeting involving deliberations on the firings that included Kyle Sampson, his former chief of staff, the deputy and associate attorneys general and other top officials.

Sessions said Sampson had indicated at that meeting "there probably would be political backlash" from the dismissals.