Democrats are currently prodding the justice department into considering a full investigation, pushing for Attorney General John Ashcroft to appoint a special counsel to proceed with the inquiry. Leading the pack of Democrats calling for an investigation are Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and senators Carl Levin (D – Mich.), Joseph Biden (D – Del.) and Jay Rockefeller (D – W. Va.).

The investigation is already two months old, and the justice department has conceded that there is no deadline for action. The issue is not whether the accusation merits further study or not, but whom should conduct it and in which manner. A just and impartial investigation cannot be undertaken by a party with vested interest in the results.

Taking a more far-reaching stance, there are perilous implications to both sides of the issue. If such methods of intimidation and force can be confirmed, then the Bush administration should be condemned for its shameless abuse of power. And if investigations of an administration are undertaken by an even slightly biased party, then the abuse of justice is just as great.