The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 13 Episode 49 Jack Goldsmith

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 13 episode 49, titled "Jack Goldsmith," features an interview with the former Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Legal Counsel. In this episode, Jon Stewart and Jack Goldsmith discuss the legal memos that were written during the George W. Bush administration and the role that Goldsmith played in reviewing them.

As the conversation begins, Stewart asks Goldsmith about his background and how he became involved in government work. Goldsmith explains that he is a law professor and had been teaching at the time when he was asked to join the Bush administration. He initially thought he would be working on national security issues, but was surprised when he was asked to join the Office of Legal Counsel.

Stewart then asks Goldsmith about the legal memos that were written during the Bush administration, specifically those related to the use of torture. Goldsmith explains that he was asked to review the memos and was surprised by what he found. He believed that the memos gave too much power to the executive branch and that they were not legally sound. He decided to withdraw the memos, which caused quite a controversy at the time.

Stewart and Goldsmith discuss the role of the Office of Legal Counsel and its responsibility to uphold the law. Goldsmith explains that the office is supposed to be nonpartisan and that its job is to ensure that the executive branch is acting within the bounds of the law. He also notes that the office has been criticized in the past for being too political.

The conversation then turns to the issue of presidential power and the war on terror. Goldsmith explains that the Bush administration believed that the president had almost unlimited power when it came to national security issues. He notes that this view of presidential power has been challenged by some scholars and that there is ongoing debate over how much power the president should have.

Stewart asks Goldsmith about the aftermath of the memos and whether he faced any repercussions for his actions. Goldsmith explains that he resigned from his position shortly after withdrawing the memos and that he faced some criticism from people who believed that he had gone too far. He notes, however, that he ultimately believes he did the right thing and that he is proud of the decision he made.

The conversation ends with Stewart and Goldsmith discussing the current state of the Office of Legal Counsel and what changes might need to be made in order to ensure that it is fulfilling its responsibilities. Goldsmith notes that the office is still working on some important issues related to national security and that it is important for it to remain impartial and committed to upholding the law.

Overall, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 13 episode 49 offers a fascinating look at the role of the Office of Legal Counsel and its relationship with presidential power. The episode is informative and engaging, and viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the issues involved.