Read Chapter 1
The first chapter of Angler is online here (click “Read an excerpt”)
Read excerpts on the Justice Department crisis
One untold story that Angler recounts at length is
what happened behind the scenes of the Bush administration’s internal rebellion
over warrantless domestic surveillance. Top advisers say on the record that
Cheney came close to destroying Bush’s presidency. This episode takes up two
full chapters of Angler. The Washington Post gives a taste of the
narrative in a pair of condensed excerpts.
From part one of the excerpts
A burst of ferocity stunned the room into silence. No other
word for it: The vice president’s attorney was shouting.
“The president doesn’t want this! You are not going to see the
opinions. You are out ….. of ….. your ….. lane!”
Five government lawyers had gathered around a small conference
table in the Justice Department Command Center. Four were expected.
David S. Addington, counsel to Vice President Cheney, got wind of the
meeting and invited himself.
If Addington smelled revolt, he was not far wrong. Unwelcome
questions about warrantless domestic surveillance had begun to find
their voice….
From part two
Jim Comey and Bob Mueller arrived at the White House for the
regular 8:30 terrorism briefing. They had a lot to cover: bombs aboard
Spanish commuter trains had killed 191 people in Madrid.
Both men told aides that this would be their last day in
government. There would be no door-slamming, but the president had made
his choice and they had made theirs.
Bush stood as the meeting ended, crossing behind Cheney’s chair.
Comey moved in the opposite direction, on his way out. He had nearly
reached the grandfather clock at the door, two witnesses said, when the
president said, “Jim, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Bush nodded toward the private dining room a few steps from his
desk, the one he shared with Cheney once a week. This time the vice
president was not invited….