WASHINGTON — In his farewell speech in the Great Hall of the Justice Department nearly two years ago, James B. Comey, the outgoing deputy attorney general, paid tribute to the work of the department on his watch, and the "reservoir of trust and credibility" its thousands of employees had built up with the public over the years.
"It doesn't make me worry about leaving," he said, "because this institution ... was in great shape when I got here and will be in great shape when I'm gone."
But Comey was harboring doubts about the new boss, Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales, say his friends and associates. Indeed, some close to him believe his opinion of Gonzales hastened his departure from the Justice Department once Gonzales became attorney general in February 2005.
Now out of government, Comey went public Tuesday with the origins of his concerns about Gonzales. In vivid detail, he disclosed an incident in which Gonzales, when he was the White House counsel, tried to essentially strong-arm then-Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft -- hours after Ashcroft had had major surgery -- into signing off on a secret national security order that the Justice Department opposed.
His testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee has thrust Comey into the unexpected position of witness for the prosecution in the congressional investigation of Gonzales and allegations that he politicized the department, a drama that could cost the attorney general his job.
Comey's disclosure that Gonzales decided at the time to push ahead with the secret eavesdropping program -- even though the Justice Department said doing so would be illegal -- raised new questions Wednesday about Gonzales' judgment.
Citing Comey's testimony, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, who is considering a presidential candidacy, became the latest Republican senator to call for Gonzales' resignation.
"The American people deserve an attorney general, the chief law enforcement officer of our country, whose honesty and capability are beyond question," Hagel said in a statement. "Atty. Gen. Gonzales can no longer meet this standard. He has failed this country. He has lost the moral authority to lead."
Asked about Hagel's comment about Gonzales' moral authority, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow replied: "We disagree, and the president supports the attorney general."
Comey, now the senior vice president and general counsel of Lockheed-Martin Corp., was not available for comment, his office said Wednesday.
