Schumer Praises Ashcroft Decision to Recuse Himself from Justice Dept's CIA Leak Probe

SCHUMER PRAISES ASHCROFT DECISION TO RECUSE HIMSELF FROM JUSTICE DEPT'S CIA LEAK PROBE

Schumer: "It is not everything we asked for but it comes darn close"

Schumer was the first to call for an investigation after the Novak column appeared and to ask Ashcroft to appoint special counsel and recuse himself from DOJ probe

US Senator Charles Schumer today praised the Attorney General's decision to recuse himself from the Justice Department's investigation into who leaked the name of a CIA agent. Schumer issued the following statement:

"Throughout America, there was much concern that the investigation of the CIA leak would not be conducted in a fearless and thorough manner. As a result of the action by the Attorney General and the Justice Department, much of that concern can be allayed.

"While we will continue to follow this investigation closely, the structure outlined by Deputy AG Comey is a good one. It is not everything we asked for but it comes darn close. And tonight, the American people can, as a result, feel more assured that there will be a full and thorough investigation, no matter where it leads.

"In effect, this is very close to the special counsel we asked for. The autonomy that US Attorney Fitzgerald has been given and Deputy AG Comey's previous assurance that he will report to Congress should any area of the investigation be blocked, in effect, makes US Attorney Fitzgerald a special counsel, albeit one within the Justice Department. When Deputy AG Comey was nominated, I said I had faith in his integrity ad ability. Today's action vindicates that faith."