I suppose this counts as witnessing. I made a petition to remove Attorney General John Aschcroft from office. It may be futile, but well, if it generates enough signatures, who knows?
http://www.petitiononline.com/RAGA2002/petition.html
Erek
John Ashcroft didn’t “pass” the Patriot Act. The United States Congress did. And President Bush signed it. It’s pretty ironic, then, that your petition is addressed to the United States Congress.
You are aware, mswas, that Congress and not Ashcroft passed the USA-PATRIOT Act?
Dang - same exact topic, same exact minute. Now that’s a simulpost!
Maybe we should petition John Ashcroft to remove Congress from office.
He just might do it. 
The sick thing? Ashcroft would probably like to do such a thing.
By the way, Erek, what’s your authority for the proposition that Congress may remove a confirmed Cabinet member?
I trust it’s not the same source you used to conclude that the Attorney General has the power to unilaterally enact legislation.
Name me one Administration in the last 100 years that wouldn’t. I’m sure most cabinet officials believe their jobs would be 100x easier if they didn’t have Congress to check them.
Not that I really like the guy, but that was a terrible petition, for reasons previously mentioned.
Aside from him being prosecuted for breaking a law or being deemed a public relations disaster by the adminsitration, he probably isn’t going anywhere.
I would deem him a PR disaster, but I’m not in the administration.
I agree that the guy is scary (those sheets over the statues are really creepy) but you need a more substantial petition.
The best way to get rid of him is to fire his boss in two years.
The Constitution of the United States
Article I, Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States(bold added), shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article I, Section 2, Clause 5: The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Article 1, Section 3, Clause 6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present
Article 1, Clause 7: Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
the story about the sheets over statues is not true . i’ve linked an article from the national review (a conservative magazine) that tells how the purchase of a blue background for press conferences by a member of ashcroft’s “advance team” has become a joke that is widely believed to be true.
it would probably be better to find an actual reason not to like him.
It’s also worth noting that only the President may remove a cabinet member other than by the impeachment process – you may recall the fact that this was settled during the impeachment trial for Andrew Johnson.
I think Bush should put Ashcroft and some randomly picked dead guy on a ballot and let the American people select which of the two they want for Attorney General.
David:
I should have phrased my question more specifically. Of course, you’re absolutely right: Congress may impeach a Cabinet officer. The petition and ensuing discussion seemed to hint at a mere Congressional vote. But upon re-reading the petition, it does merely ask the Congress to remove Ashcroft, and leaves the method to them; it certainly doesn’t rule out impeachment. I withdraw my criticism.
- Rick