Ashcroft takes the hot seat

Former Missouri senator John Ashcroft held his first news conference today as the U.S. Attorney General. Ashcroft discussed his goals for the office, and asserted they were not a reaction to the criticisms against him, but were a reflection of the country’s present needs. Reporters also threw Ashcroft questions on his first hot potato, the Congressional request to grant immunity to Denise Rich in the probe into Bill Clinton’s pardon of her ex-husband, fugitive financier Marc Rich. Ashcroft says he tends to support Congress’ need for information, but has made no decision on the matter.