Obama's DEA Chief Refuses To Support Drug Sentencing Reforms

The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonhart, is refusing to support a bill backed by the Obama administration that would lower the length of mandatory minimum sentences for federal drug crimes, putting her at odds with her boss Attorney General Eric Holder on one of the criminal justice reform initiatives he hopes to make a centerpiece of his legacy.

Read the article here.

Comments

[John]

So is Obama just lying or has he completely lost control of the executive such that his own appointees pay no attention to anything he says?

It could be both sure. The more time that passes, the latter looks more and more likely. Just what does this clown do other than play golf and let the media like his shoe soles?

[Mad Scientist]

Bureaucracies plunge forward with inertia, nearly unaffected by any attempts to steer the ship. Obama never had control in the first place.

[Tony]

She's an 80s-era drug warrior who was Bush's deputy DEA administrator and who Obama promoted in 2010, presumably because drugs weren't on the political radar, she was next in line, a woman, and as a bipartisan gesture. The DEA is a law enforcement agency, not a policymaking body, so it's no surprise that the law enforcement people who run it will be slow to the draw on drug liberalization. I wouldn't mind if Obama replaced her after this, though.

[kbolino]

presumably because drugs weren't on the political radar, she was next in line, a woman, and as a bipartisan gesture

You have an incredible knack for believing that superficiality is an acceptable replacement for substance.

[Sevo]

And his ability to make up excuses for his fave slime-ball ain't bad, either.

[Free Society]

presumably because drugs weren't on the political radar, she was next in line, a woman, and as a bipartisan gesture

The ReTHUGlicans strike again!

[Suthenboy]

"So is Obama just lying or has he completely lost control of the executive such that his own appointees pay no attention to anything he says?"

Yes.

I have long suspected that the reason we plod down the same path no matter who is in the oval office is because the Leonharts are actually running the show.

Is this the same stone-faced bitch who testified to congress with ice needles in her voice that her boss was irresponsible? That then refused to admit that MJ is essentially harmless?

That she is not unemployed is a testament to Obumbles impotence.

[Episiarch]

The thing is is that the executives allowed these bureaucracies to get this powerful in the first place. The last few presidents could have fired bureaucrats for the slightest disobedience, but they didn't want to because it might lead to unflattering press or mean they would actually have to do some work to find a suitable replacement or fight the bureaucracy a little. They like having the agencies off on their own most of the time. And now we're all paying.

[Mad Scientist]

They love the bureaucracy because they can assure the public the buck stops with them, but then point fingers at faceless bureaucrats whenever it's convenient. Obama won't fire her because he really doesn't give a damn about sentencing for drug convictions.

[DEG]

As supporting evidence, look what happened with George W. Bush fired some US attorneys.

[Robert]

Barack's a lame duck, and she has her future to think of.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

Does she have naked pictures of her bosses? Is that why they won't fire her?

[John]

She is head of the DEA. You think she might know where a few bodies are buried on Fast and Furious?

I doubt she is too concerned about Obama firing her.

[UnCivilServant]

Since when does the DEA have anything to do with sentencing? Isn't that the job for the judge?

[Gene]

Cops do this shit all the time, very unseemly, but hey we expect that.

[Free Society]

lulz. they all work for the same institution. I know it sounds ridiculous, but ridiculous is reasonable to everyone around you.

[Tman]

Fight Fight Fight!

[Free Society]

pipe down, Tyler.

[Brett L]

I'd "accept" her resignation. She'd never work again in the FedGov (which would kill her) if she leaked after firing.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Sounds like someone wants to run to be AG somewhere when she leaves the DEA.

[Rich]

"Having been in law enforcement as an agent for 33 years, [and] a Baltimore City police officer before that, I can tell you that for me and for the agents that work for DEA, mandatory minimums have been very important to our investigations," Leonhart said. "We depend on those as a way to ensure that the right sentences are going to the ... level of violator we are going after."

These clowns are so steeped in the drug warrior mentality that it is *impossible* for them to see how just how ridiculous this line of argument really is. 8-(

[Zeb]

God, she's a fucking disgusting pig. How about this, pigs? The legislature makes the laws and then you enforce the laws they have passed. That's your fucking job, not creating policy to make your job easier.

[The Late P Brooks]

Is rank managerial incompetence an impeachable offense?

Let me guess: one of these days, the Campaigner-in-Chief is going to stop by his office and sort through the pile of URGENT ACTION NEEDED memos on his desk, and get everything sorted out.

"If only he knew!"

[The Late P Brooks]

I can tell you that for me and for the agents that work for DEA, mandatory minimums have been very important to our investigations

No shit. "Play ball, scumbag, or you'll be an old, old man by the time you get out of the slammer. We want NAMES."

[Bardas Phocas]

Good for her.
All the drug warriors should bunker up in their fortress of doom and burn there.
http://lynnbecker.com/repeat/atf/atf.jpg
[actually the atf hq but still, it's got a fucking wall around it!]

"Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon."

[Anomalous]

"I believe all illegal drugs are bad."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFgrB2Wmh5s

[Free Society]

heroin=marijuana