Bush taps Chertoff (Ashcroft's 'top gremlin') as new Code Orange Czar [View All]

WASHINGTON - President Bush has chosen federal appeals court judge Michael Chertoff to be his new Homeland Security chief, turning to a former federal prosecutor who helped craft the early war on terror strategy, The Associated Press has learned.

Chertoff headed the Justice Department's criminal division from 2001 to 2003, where he played a central role in the nation's legal response to the Sept. 11 attacks, before the president named him to appeals court position in New Jersey.

Bush was to formally announce Chertoff's selection later at the White House, two government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The AP.

Chertoff would replace Tom Ridge, the department's first chief.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=2&u=/ap/20050111/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_cabinet

http://www.counterpunch.org/cassel06112003.html

"I am referring to the man behind the criminal prosecution of terrorists, Michael Chertoff. Chertoff, former chief of the Justice Department's criminal division, and a scary looking guy if ever there was one, has been elevated to the level of Court of Appeals judge--the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, whose jurisdiction includes Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. What's so scary about Michael? Well, besides having no judicial experience and being a right-ring radical who does not believe in the Constitution and wants to rewrite federal law and rules of procedure on an ad hoc, case by case basis, as it suits him, nothing I guess."