Former chief Guantanamo prosecutor turned military commissions critic Col. Morris Davis was fired from his post-military job at the Congressional Research Service after he penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal criticizing the Obama administration for reviving them. The ACLU claims that Davis was threatened with termination over his op-ed before finally being let go.
Elizabeth Pugh, general counsel for the Library of Congress, insists that his termination was legit. Pugh quotes Daniel Mulhollan, director of the CRS, saying that Davis had "not adequately demonstrated the Senior Level Executive qualities and characteristics necessary to serve effectively as Assistant Director in the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service," and that Davis had "failed to adhere to the CRS policy on Outside Speaking and Writing."
Aden Fine, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU, disagrees and has said the organization will sue on Morris' behalf if he isn't officially reinstated, on the grounds that the CRS violated Morris' free speech rights. Fine claims that Mulhollan met with Davis just a day before his op-ed was published and told him he was doing a good job.
"If the library is not willing to reinstate Col. Davis, we will be forced to bring an appropriate lawsuit on his behalf, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, attorney's fees, and costs," Fine wrote in his letter today. "We look forward to hearing from you shortly."
-- A. Serwer
