Mr. Sampson testified at a hearing on the topic, “Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys?” He testified about his role in the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys, as well as his consultations with the attorney general and other White House officials prior to the decisions to fire the attorneys was made. His testimony contradicted public statements by Attorney General Gonzales and revealed that other senior White House aides were more closely involved in the dismissals than had previously been disclosed.