Bush Picks Retired N.Y. Judge for AG Spot

WASHINGTON — President Bush has nominated former federal judge Michael Mukasey, a staunch but independently minded conservative, to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general.

Mukasey served in one of the country's busiest New York City courts and presided over several significant terrorism trials, including the 2002 prosecution of U.S. citizen Jose Padilla, convicted of lending support to al Queda.

The Bush administration refused Padilla of legal representation, but Mukasey challenged Bush's authority and ruled Padilla had the right to attorney.

This is a good sign, Democrats and adult industry attorneys say, because it shows Mukasey is willing to recognize the rule of law even when it goes against the Republican administration.

"I think his credentials are pretty clear about indicating what the executive is looking for in an [attorney general]," adult industry lawyer Robert Apgood told XBIZ. "The fact that the guy has done terrorist cases in the last 10 years prior to his retirement says a lot about what the president's office thinks is important in an attorney general and where the priorities are."

The president also acknowledged that choosing Mukasey had much to do with his objective antiterrorism focus.

"Judge Mukasey is clear-eyed about the threat our nation faces," Bush said. "He knows what it takes to fight this war effectively and he knows how to do it in a manner consistent with our laws and our Constitution."

Adult industry lawyer Lawrence Walters told XBIZ that though he's found no information about Mukasey with regards to adult, he has ruled in favor of the 1st Amendment in several cases, including U.S. vs. Carlin Communications in 1987.

"It shows [Bush] is becoming weaker and weaker as a president as time goes on," Walters said. "He can't push through these right-wing ideologue candidates any longer, so he had to find someone that, while they're conservative, was certainly qualified but will follow the rule of law when required."

Apgood said that it may not cross Mukasey's mind to go after the adult industry and that it's not likely it ever will.

"I've talked to some guys in the FBI and they're not really interested in 2257 in the least," Apgood said. "I think Mukasey's more interested in terrorism and things like that than he is [in] chasing adult entertainment."

The White House reportedly is urging the Senate to quickly consider Mukasey and confirm him before the Oct. 8 Congressional recess.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

LELO Launches 'Masturbitter' Craft Beer to Promote Male Sex Talk

LELO has partnered with Great Beyond Brewing Company to launch Masturbitter, a craft beer, to encourage men to discuss sex.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Show More