August 4, 1994 - Part 8
August 4, 1994 - Part 8
(16:43:41)(tape #10093 begins) and he has changed his mind. He goes back to his office. Then, the next day, he comes back over to the White House. First of all, he asked that people be gotten together to hear that he's going to stay in the investigation. He comes into the office, announces to people that he's staying. He turns around and walks out. Now, Mr. Ickes, you were in that meeting, both of those meetings. Did you ever hear anybody on the White House staff say that Roger Altman should stay in this investigation? Did you hear anybody ever say to him, don't recuse yourself, you shouldn't recuse yourself, it's not in our interest to recuse yourself, you probably ought not to recuse yourself? Mr. ICKES. Which of the questions, Senator Gramm, do you want me to answer? Senator GRAMM. Any one I want to ask you if you ever heard anybody say to Roger Altman in any way, in any language, "stay in this investigation." Mr. ICKES. I don't recall anybody saying that. What I recall, Senator, is what I've testified to innumerable times, that there were questions-that he raised questions, indicated he was thinking about it, that there were people who wondered whether or not it was legally necessary or ethically necessary Senator GRAMM. But nobody said to him Mr. ICKES. The bottom, Senator, it was up to him to make that decision and he did. Senator GRAMM. But you never heard anybody say to him, don't get out of your oversight capacity on this investigation? Mr. ICKES. I do not recall anybody saying that, Senator GRAMM. Now, I know the other three gentlemen weren't at the meeting, but obviously they're involved daily at the White House. They hear these discussions. I'd like to ask each one of them basically a yes or no question. Have you ever heard anybody at the White House suggest that they ever suggested or were aware that anybody else suggested to Roger Altman that he not remove himself in his oversight capacity of the investigation of Whitewater, even though we knew from these referrals that the President and the First Lady's name had been mentioned? 373