Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2003
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
AG
(202) 514-2008
TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT REGARDING
THE OPINION OF JUDGE GERALD ROSEN:


U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft today released the following statement regarding the opinion issued by Judge Gerald Rosen:

“As Attorney General, I have a responsibility to keep the American people informed of the Justice Department’s progress against terrorism, while at the same time avoiding anything that could hinder a fair trial.

“While the two statements in question were inadvertent and in no way intended to either disregard the Court’s order, or disrupt the ongoing trial, I can see how these two statements, however brief and passing, could be considered by the Court to be a breach of the Court’s Order.

“As I advised the Court in my letter, I regret having made these statements.

“As the Court recognized, ‘the Attorney General occupies two roles of equal importance, one as the nation’s chief prosecutor, and one as the head of an Executive department with responsibilities to keep the public informed on policy matters.’ I take this matter very seriously and will make every effort to ensure that the difficulties occasioned in this instance will be avoided in the future. I appreciate that this matter has been resolved.”

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