Statement of Chellie Pingree Regarding the Resignation of Attorney General Gonzales

Portland, ME (August 27, 2007): The resignation of Attorney General Gonzales is a positive step for the nation, but it was long overdue. His shameful legacy will be difficult to put behind us.  Policies condoning torture, allowing the arresting and holding of American citizens without charge or access to attorneys, twisting the justice department into a political arm of the administration -- all of these actions have damaged American justice at home and wounded our image in the world.

I've long believed that AG Gonzales should step down. While many elected officials from both parties had lost confidence in the country's chief law enforcement officer, it took the current congress with its Democratic majority to shine a light in the dark corners of the Bush justice department. Oversight of the corrupted judicial system, like so many other problems, was lacking under the earlier Republican majority.

It is fitting that the day Gonzales' resignation takes effect, September 17th, is Constitution Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.  We now need to make a commitment to undo the damage of the last six and a half years - we need to restore civil liberties and civil rights, and to restore the faith of the American people that the US Justice Department is fair, honest and committed to justice for all Americans. In addition, as the elected representative of Maine's 1st district, I would strenuously uphold my responsibility as a member of congress to provide powerful and effective oversight of all aspects of our government.