Attorney General Gonzales testified about the firing of several U.S. attorneys and Justice Department decision making procedures related to the dismissals, as well as other departmental programs at an oversight hearing on the Justice Department. Members' questions focused on the decision to dismiss the attorneys, possible influence by the White House in the process, and the attorney general’s reluctance to specify how a list of U.S. attorneys was generated and how the eventual firing decision was reached at the department. Procedural queries by members were sometimes contentious and members occasionally questioned one another’s motives. 

Soon after the start of the hearing Chairman Conyers instructed protesters to leave the hearing room.