Changes

The [[United States Senate|Senate’s]] defeat of [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan’s]] nomination of Robert Bork to the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] in 1987 was a watershed, because it was purely political.  A majority of senators felt Bork was too conservative, and the attacks and ultimate rejection of his nomination became known as “Borking” a presidential pick.  He later wrote a popular book describing the politicization of the judiciary.

The [[United States Senate|Senate’s]] defeat of [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan’s]] nomination of Robert Bork to the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] in 1987 was a watershed, because it was purely political.  A majority of senators felt Bork was too conservative, and the attacks and ultimate rejection of his nomination became known as “Borking” a presidential pick.  He later wrote a popular book describing the politicization of the judiciary.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] will likely complete his current term without picking a single [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] justice.  This is surprising because several vacancies were expected.  Chief Justice Rehnquist in particular, nearly 80 years old, was expected to step down so that a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[President of the United States of America|president]] could choose his replacement.  It is possible that [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] talked him out of retiring in the hopes that [[Republican Party|Republican]]s will have greater power in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] after the 2004 elections, and that [[George W. Bush|Bush]] will still be in power.  This is risky: libreal Justices Brennan and Marshall decided against retiring during [[President of the United States of America|President]] Carter’s term, but then faced 12 long years of [[Republican Party|Republican]] control of the [[White House]].  Old age forced Justices Brennan and Marshall reluctantly to retire in the meantime, during the first [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] term, and their spots were filled by Justices Souter and Thomas.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] will likely complete his current term without picking a single [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] justice.  This is surprising because several vacancies were expected.  Chief Justice Rehnquist in particular, nearly 80 years old, was expected to step down so that a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[President of the United States of America|president]] could choose his replacement.  It is possible that [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] talked him out of retiring in the hopes that [[Republican Party|Republican]]s will have greater power in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] after the 2004 elections, and that [[George W. Bush|Bush]] will still be in power.  This is risky: [[liberal]] Justices Brennan and Marshall decided against retiring during [[President of the United States of America|President]] Carter’s term, but then faced 12 long years of [[Republican Party|Republican]] control of the [[White House]].  Old age forced Justices Brennan and Marshall reluctantly to retire in the meantime, during the first [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] term, and their spots were filled by Justices Souter and Thomas.

'''V. Department of Justice'''

'''V. Department of Justice'''

Much attention these days is focused on the fourth oldest department: the Department of Justice.  Its head, Attorney General John Ashcroft, was bitterly opposed by liberals from the beginning.  The [[United States Senate|Senate]] delayed his confirmation and he won in a relatively close vote in early 2001, after [[George W. Bush|Bush]] became [[President of the United States of America|president]] and appointed him.

Much attention these days is focused on the fourth oldest department: the Department of Justice.  Its head, Attorney General John Ashcroft, was bitterly opposed by [[liberal]]s from the beginning.  The [[United States Senate|Senate]] delayed his confirmation and he won in a relatively close vote in early 2001, after [[George W. Bush|Bush]] became [[President of the United States of America|president]] and appointed him.

The Department of Justice is responsible for handling all prosecutions and litigation for the federal government.  Originally, the federal government prosecuted very few crimes.  Treason was one.  Counterfeiting was another.  But not much more.

The Department of Justice is responsible for handling all prosecutions and litigation for the federal government.  Originally, the federal government prosecuted very few crimes.  Treason was one.  Counterfeiting was another.  But not much more.