Michael Mukasey

Republican Michael Mukasey was the last U.S. Attorney General under President George W. Bush. He replaced Alberto Gonzales, who left the office amidst the United States attorney firings scandal on September 17, 2007.

In December 2008, Mukasey recused himself from the investigation into Bernard Madoff, who is accused of being involved in a large Ponzi Scheme through the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities financial advisory firm. Mukasey's son, Marc Mukasey, is representing a Madoff official in the investigation.USA Today: Mukasey recuses himself from $50 billion fraud probe (December 17, 2008)

Mukasey previously spent 18 years as a judge in the District Court of Southern New York. He retired from the position in 2006 and is a partner at the New York City law firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler.Patterson Belknap & Tyler: Former Southern District Chief Judge Michael B. Mukasey Rejoins Patterson Belknap (September 12, 2006)

On November 8, 2007, Mukasey was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 53–40, the narrowest margin to appoint an Attorney General in 50 years.The Guardian: Michael Mukasey appointed US attorney general (November 9, 2007) Much of his confirmation hearing surrounded the Bush Administration's policy on "enhanced interrogation techniques," including waterboarding.Judiciary.Senate.gov: United States Senate Several senators, including future Democratic primary candidates Christopher Dodd and Joe Biden, refused to support Mukasey's nomination, because he would not unequivocally call the practice illegal.CNN: Clarify position on torture, senators urge attorney general nominee (October 28, 2007) FOXNews: Schumer, Feinstein Say They Will Vote to Confirm Michael Mukasey as Attorney General (November 2, 2007)

During a March 27, 2008, address, Mukasey tearfully commented that the failure to wiretap a key phone call coming from Afghanistan to the United States, prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, could have prevented the tragedy.San Francisco Chronicle: Democrats blast Mukasey for 9/11 call remarks (April 15, 2008) There are no records of a critical phone call having been made. Critics have also pointed out that the call, if it existed and could be identified, could have been legally wiretapped under existing orders. The Justice Department is still trying to understand the exact meaning of Mukasey's statements under increasing scrutiny from a congressional inquiry.San Francisco Chronicle: Mukasey asked to explain terror call remarks (April 11, 2008)

Mukasey collapsed while giving a speech at a Federalist Society dinner in Washington, D.C., on November 20, 2008.CNN.com: Attorney general collapses while giving speech (November 20, 2008) The Department of Justice reported later that night that Mukasey was in good condition and would remain in the hospital overnight.MSNBC.com: Attorney General Mukasey Collapses The following day, Mukasey's doctors gave him a clean bill of health.Yahoo! News: Gov't: AG Gets Clean Bill of Health After Collapse (November 21, 2008)