The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 13 Episode 79 David Iglesias

In season 13 episode 79 of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the focus is on former New Mexico U.S. attorney David Iglesias and his controversial firing in 2006. Iglesias was one of a group of U.S. attorneys who were dismissed from their positions by the Bush administration for seemingly political reasons. The episode takes a deep dive into the events leading up to Iglesias' firing, including his refusal to pursue politically motivated cases and his disagreements with the administration's approach to voter fraud investigations.

Stewart begins the episode by laying out the timeline of events that led to Iglesias' firing, starting with a phone call from Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) to the U.S. attorney's office in October 2006. Domenici was allegedly unhappy with the pace of a corruption investigation involving Democrats in the state, and expressed his frustration to Iglesias' staff. Iglesias himself was not on the call, but was later contacted by Domenici's chief of staff and pressured to finish the investigation before the upcoming election.

Iglesias declined to do so, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the need for thoroughness. This decision would ultimately have far-reaching consequences, as Iglesias and other U.S. attorneys who refused to pursue politically charged cases were targeted for dismissal by the Bush administration. Stewart outlines the various reasons given for Iglesias' firing, from his alleged lack of enthusiasm for prosecutions to his purportedly poor management skills.

As the episode continues, Stewart focuses on the fallout from Iglesias' firing and the larger implications for the justice system. He interviews Iglesias himself, who describes the pressure he felt to pursue certain cases and the difficulties he faced in pushing back against political interference. Iglesias also discusses the damage done to the reputation of the U.S. attorneys' office and the chilling effect such interference can have on the pursuit of justice.

Stewart also speaks with legal experts and other commentators, who weigh in on the significance of the U.S. attorneys scandal and its impact on the justice system. They discuss the politicization of the Justice Department under the Bush administration, and the ways in which such actions can undermine public confidence in the rule of law. They also explore the broader implications of the U.S. attorneys scandal, including the erosion of checks and balances within the government.

Throughout the episode, Stewart employs his trademark wit and incisive commentary to highlight the absurdity and corruption underlying the U.S. attorneys scandal. He skewers the politicians and bureaucrats who sought to interfere with the justice system for their own ends, and shines a light on the power dynamics at play within the government. But he also takes a more sober look at the wider implications of such interference, and the impact it can have on the health of a democracy.

In short, season 13 episode 79 of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is a powerful exploration of the U.S. attorneys scandal and its impact on the justice system. Through interviews with key players, legal experts, and commentators, Stewart exposes the corruption and political interference that tainted the U.S. attorneys' office, and raises important questions about the need for transparency and accountability in government. It's a must-watch episode for anyone interested in the intersection of politics and the law, and the ways in which power can be abused within the justice system.