Word: welds
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...that his personal relationship with the Attorney General took precedence over the integrity and effectiveness of the Justice Department. Other Republicans were more concerned. Some members of Reagan's White House staff have quietly supported the pressure on Meese to step aside. Instead of criticizing the abrupt departure of Weld and Burns, they praised it, in the words of one adviser, as an "act of principle...
When Burns and Weld told Meese they were quitting, sources say, Meese at first laughed. "Is this a joke?" he asked. "No, Ed, this is no joke," they replied. Asked Meese: "Why are you doing this?" Burns said that Meese had an "appearance problem" that was hurting the department. Both men declared that in good conscience they could not remain...
...Weld explained that if he were investigating Meese's relations with Wallach, "I'd put it to the grand jury for indictment." Meese protested, "But I haven't done anything wrong." Weld persisted, claiming that Wallach, Meese's former personal attorney, had traded his influence with Meese for big money. "Yes, but Wallach was indicted," Meese replied. Said Weld: "I'm not talking about Wallach. I'm talking about...
...Weld contended that there appeared to be a pattern of Meese in effect selling the services of his office. Even if Independent Counsel McKay decides not to indict him, Weld advised Meese, "the best-case scenario is, you are going to get a report from McKay that knocks your block...
...Weld predicted that McKay will charge that Meese violated the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees," an ethics code that carries no criminal penalties but would require action by the department's Office of Professional Responsibility. The shaken Meese tried to persuade the two not to do anything "hotheaded." They said their resignations had already been handed to White House Chief of Staff Howard Baker...