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In December 2010, King announced that when he became chairman of the [[House Homeland Security Committee]] he would hold hearings on the [[radicalization]] of [[American Muslims]]. While stating that, "The overwhelming majority of Muslims are outstanding citizens," he also claims that some Islamic clerics are telling their congregations to ignore extremism and to refrain from helping investigators.<ref name="radicalization"/> King cites [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] statistics show that over the past two years, 50 U.S. citizens have been charged with major acts of terrorism, and all 50 individuals were motivated by radical Islamic ideologies.<ref name="Muslims fear"/>
In December 2010, King announced that when he became chairman of the [[House Homeland Security Committee]] he would hold hearings on the [[radicalization]] of [[American Muslims]]. While stating that, "The overwhelming majority of Muslims are outstanding citizens," he also claims that some Islamic clerics are telling their congregations to ignore extremism and to refrain from helping investigators.<ref name="radicalization"/> King cites [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] statistics show that over the past two years, 50 U.S. citizens have been charged with major acts of terrorism, and all 50 individuals were motivated by radical Islamic ideologies.<ref name="Muslims fear"/>


The first hearing, held on March 10, 2011, was entitled “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.” The hearing included testimony from Representative [[John D. Dingell]] of [[Michigan]], Representative [[Keith Ellison (politician)|Keith Ellison]] of [[Minnesota]], who is one of two Muslims in the U.S. Congress, Representative [[Frank Wolf]] of [[Virginia]], and [[Los Angeles County Sheriff]] [[Lee Baca|Leroy Baca]]. Others to provide testimony included Dr. M [[Zuhdi Jasser]], a devout Muslim and Founder of the [[American Islamic Forum for Democracy]]; Melvin Bledsoe, whose son was arrested in connection with the [[2009 Little Rock recruiting office shooting]];<ref name="muslim son">{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/us/17convert.html | work=The New York Times | first=James | last=Dao | title=A Muslim Son, a Murder Trial and Many Questions | date=2010-02-17}}</ref> and Abdirizak Bihi, the Director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center.<ref name="hearing">{{cite web|last=U.S. Government House Committee on Homeland Security|title=Hearing on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.”|url=http://homeland.house.gov/hearing/hearing-%E2%80%9C-extent-radicalization-american-muslim-community-and-communitys-response%E2%80%9D|publisher=U.S. Government House Committee on Homeland Security}}</ref> The [[Council on American Islamic Relations]] submitted a statement to the committee.<ref name="CAIR">[http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/PeterKingHearings.aspx CAIR's testimony]</ref>
The first hearing, held on March 10, 2011, was entitled “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.” The hearing included testimony from Representative [[John D. Dingell]] of [[Michigan]], Representative [[Keith Ellison (politician)|Keith Ellison]] of [[Minnesota]], who is one of two Muslims in the U.S. Congress, Representative [[Frank Wolf]] of [[Virginia]], and [[Los Angeles County Sheriff]] [[Lee Baca|Leroy Baca]]. Others to provide testimony included Dr. M [[Zuhdi Jasser]], a devout Muslim and Founder of the [[American Islamic Forum for Democracy]]; Melvin Bledsoe, whose son was arrested in connection with the [[2009 Little Rock recruiting office shooting]];<ref name="muslim son"/> and Abdirizak Bihi, the Director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center.<ref name="hearing"/> The [[Council on American Islamic Relations]] submitted a statement to the committee.<ref name="CAIR"/>


In an article for the ''[[National Review]]'', King announced that the next two Homeland Security Committee hearings on [[radicalization]] will focus on foreign money coming into American mosques and [[al Shabab]]’s efforts to recruit young Muslims men in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]. The first hearing is set for mid-May while the second is tentatively scheduled for July. King also said that he will continue to hold these radicalization hearings as long as he is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.<ref name="justice department">{{cite news|last=Bolduc|first=Brian|title=Peter King vs. Eric Holder Why did the Justice Department never indict CAIR?|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/ny03_king/justicedeptcair.html|accessdate=26 April 2011|newspaper=The National Review|date=April 26, 2011}}</ref>
In an article for the ''[[National Review]]'', King announced that the next two Homeland Security Committee hearings on [[radicalization]] will focus on foreign money coming into American mosques and [[al Shabab]]’s efforts to recruit young Muslims men in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]. The first hearing is set for mid-May while the second is tentatively scheduled for July. King also said that he will continue to hold these radicalization hearings as long as he is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.<ref name="justice department"/>


====Reactions====
====Reactions====
[[Bennie Thompson]], the ranking member of the committee which King heads, has responded by saying that "none of these [law enforcement and intelligence] officials have backed King’s assertions that the Muslim community has not been helpful in thwarting terrorist attacks."<ref name="homegrown">{{cite web|author=By REP. BENNIE THOMPSON | 1/27/11 4:00 AM EST |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48239.html |title=Homegrown terrorists are not just Muslims |publisher=Politico.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref> In a letter written to King, Thompson demanded that the scope of the hearings be widened to include all extremist groups in the United States, disregarding any ideological underpinnings.<ref name="letter">{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Bennie|title=Letter to Chairman King on Radicalization Hearings|url=http://homeland.house.gov/press-release/king-stands-firm-upcoming-hearings-islamic-radicalization|publisher=U.S. Congress House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee|accessdate=9 March 2011}}</ref> [[Los Angeles County]] [[sheriff]] Lee Baca said that there was nothing to support King's claims of non-cooperation by American Muslims. Baca invited King to Los Angeles to show the cooperation between Muslim-Americans and law enforcement; a King spokesperson declined to comment on the invitation.<ref name="LA sheriff">{{cite news|title=LA sheriff takes on King|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/LA_sheriff_takes_on_King.html?showall|publisher=[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]|date=2011-02-07}}</ref>
[[Bennie Thompson]], the ranking member of the committee which King heads, has responded by saying that "none of these [law enforcement and intelligence] officials have backed King’s assertions that the Muslim community has not been helpful in thwarting terrorist attacks."<ref name="homegrown"/> In a letter written to King, Thompson demanded that the scope of the hearings be widened to include all extremist groups in the United States, disregarding any ideological underpinnings.<ref name="letter"/> [[Los Angeles County]] [[sheriff]] Lee Baca said that there was nothing to support King's claims of non-cooperation by American Muslims. Baca invited King to Los Angeles to show the cooperation between Muslim-Americans and law enforcement; a King spokesperson declined to comment on the invitation.<ref name="LA sheriff"/>


The [[Muslim Public Affairs Council]] (MPAC) in a letter to King claimed that his call was sweeping and misguided, calling for a meeting with him to discuss his initiatives, the proposed hearings, and the efforts of the Muslim American community in fighting radicalization.<ref name="MPAC">{{cite web|url=http://www.mpac.org/programs/government-relations/dc-news-and-views/dear-rep.-king.php |title=MPAC's letter to Congressman King |publisher=Mpac.org |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>
The [[Muslim Public Affairs Council]] (MPAC) in a letter to King claimed that his call was sweeping and misguided, calling for a meeting with him to discuss his initiatives, the proposed hearings, and the efforts of the Muslim American community in fighting radicalization.<ref name="MPAC"/>


The [[Council on American Islamic Relations]] joined 50 other organizations, including [[Amnesty International]], the [[Sikh Coalition]], the [[Japanese American Citizens League]] and [[Unitarian Universalist]] Service Committee, and put out a letter to [[Speaker of the House]] [[John Boehner]] and [[Nancy Pelosi]] stating:<ref name="political correctness"/><ref name="CAIR's letter"/>
The [[Council on American Islamic Relations]] joined 50 other organizations, including [[Amnesty International]], the [[Sikh Coalition]], the [[Japanese American Citizens League]] and [[Unitarian Universalist]] Service Committee, and put out a letter to [[Speaker of the House]] [[John Boehner]] and [[Nancy Pelosi]] stating:<ref name="political correctness"/><ref name="CAIR's letter"/>
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[[Jay Sekulow]], Chief Counsel for the conservative religious organization [[American Center for Law and Justice]] (ACLJ), which opposed the building of the [[Park 51]] mosque,<ref>[http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20100805.html Findlaw]</ref> declared his support for King and the hearings.
[[Jay Sekulow]], Chief Counsel for the conservative religious organization [[American Center for Law and Justice]] (ACLJ), which opposed the building of the [[Park 51]] mosque,<ref>[http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20100805.html Findlaw]</ref> declared his support for King and the hearings.
{{bquote|Without question, there’s a troubling factual pattern of American Muslims becoming radicalized and focusing on creating havoc here on U.S. soil. This hearing is designed to get to the bottom of what’s taking place in our nation — how [[al Qaeda]] and other terrorist organizations are recruiting and manipulating American Muslims to attack the U.S. This hearing isn’t about [[racial profiling|profiling]] — it’s about protecting our homeland.<ref name="GOP leaders">{{cite news|last=McLaughlin|first=Seth|title=GOP leaders back hearings on Muslims|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/8/gop-leaders-back-hearings-on-muslims/?page=1|accessdate=9 March 2011|newspaper=Washington Times|date=9 March 2011}}</ref>}}
{{bquote|Without question, there’s a troubling factual pattern of American Muslims becoming radicalized and focusing on creating havoc here on U.S. soil. This hearing is designed to get to the bottom of what’s taking place in our nation — how [[al Qaeda]] and other terrorist organizations are recruiting and manipulating American Muslims to attack the U.S. This hearing isn’t about [[racial profiling|profiling]] — it’s about protecting our homeland.<ref name="GOP leaders"/>}}


[[Frank Gaffney]], Founder and President of the American Center for Security Policy, commended King on his hearing and said, “The real story is that Mr. King began a conversation about an issue that has long been deemed politically untouchable. He also established that there is, indeed, a problem of “extremism” within the American Muslim community.”<ref name="breakthrough">{{cite web|last=Gaffney|first=Frank|title=Breakthrough for a taboo-buster; Peter King’s hearings pointed spotlight on Shariah in America|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/washington-times-breakthrough-taboo-buster-peter-king’s-hearings-pointed-spotlight-shariah|publisher=Washington Times|accessdate=March 17, 2011}}</ref>
[[Frank Gaffney]], Founder and President of the American Center for Security Policy, commended King on his hearing and said, “The real story is that Mr. King began a conversation about an issue that has long been deemed politically untouchable. He also established that there is, indeed, a problem of “extremism” within the American Muslim community.”<ref name="breakthrough"/>


Several members of Congress wrote letters showing their support for King and his hearings. Representatives [[Mike D. Rogers|Mike Rogers]] of [[Alabama]] and [[Joe Walsh (Illinois politician)|Joe Walsh]] of [[Illinois]] both wrote letters of support for King and his hearings on radicalization in the Muslim population. Rogers wrote that radicalization could happen anywhere in the United States, and thus it is an issue all Americans have to deal with: “If a kid from small town [[Alabama]] can transform into a violent al-Qaeda [[jihadist]] fighting with terrorists in [[Somalia]], then imagine what’s possible if after [[radicalization]] one decides to stay here in the U.S. to conduct an attack.”<ref name="threat">{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Rep. Mike|title=Threat of Homegrown Terrorist Real and Growing|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/rep-mike-rogers-al-op-ed-hill-threat-homegrown-terrorists-real-and-growing|publisher=The Hill|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> Walsh added, “Homegrown terrorists are the number one threat facing American families right now, and it would be irresponsible and negligent not to try and identify the causes of their radicalization.” <ref name="common sense">{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Rep. Joe|title=Using Common Sense in Muslim Radicalization|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/rep-walsh-op-ed-hill-using-common-sense-muslim-radicalization|publisher=The Hill|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>
Several members of Congress wrote letters showing their support for King and his hearings. Representatives [[Mike D. Rogers|Mike Rogers]] of [[Alabama]] and [[Joe Walsh (Illinois politician)|Joe Walsh]] of [[Illinois]] both wrote letters of support for King and his hearings on radicalization in the Muslim population. Rogers wrote that radicalization could happen anywhere in the United States, and thus it is an issue all Americans have to deal with: “If a kid from small town [[Alabama]] can transform into a violent al-Qaeda [[jihadist]] fighting with terrorists in [[Somalia]], then imagine what’s possible if after [[radicalization]] one decides to stay here in the U.S. to conduct an attack.”<ref name="threat"/> Walsh added, “Homegrown terrorists are the number one threat facing American families right now, and it would be irresponsible and negligent not to try and identify the causes of their radicalization.” <ref name="common sense"/>


===Comments about Michael Jackson===
===Comments about Michael Jackson===
On July 5, 2009, shortly after [[Death of Michael Jackson|the death]] of [[Michael Jackson]], King made a video statement calling the late entertainer a "[[child molestation|child molester]]". He also chided the media for its coverage of Jackson's death:
On July 5, 2009, shortly after [[Death of Michael Jackson|the death]] of [[Michael Jackson]], King made a video statement calling the late entertainer a "[[child molestation|child molester]]". He also chided the media for its coverage of Jackson's death:
{{quote|Let’s knock out the psychobabble. He was a pervert, a child molester, he was a [[pedophile]]. And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? I just think we’re too [[political correctness|politically correct]]. No one wants to stand up and say we don’t need Michael Jackson. He died, he had some talent, fine. There’s men and women dying every day in Afghanistan. Let’s give them the credit they deserve.<ref name="doesn't stop">{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2009/07/peter_king_doesnt_stop_til_he.html|title=Peter King doesn't stop 'til he has enough (Spin Cycle)|last=Epstein|first=Reid|date=July 5, 2009|work=Newsday.com|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref><ref name="blasts Jackson">{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/06/new-york-congressman-blasts-jackson-pervert-low-life/ | work=Fox News | title=New York Congressman Blasts Jackson as 'Pervert, Low-Life' | date=2009-07-06}}</ref>}}
{{quote|Let’s knock out the psychobabble. He was a pervert, a child molester, he was a [[pedophile]]. And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? I just think we’re too [[political correctness|politically correct]]. No one wants to stand up and say we don’t need Michael Jackson. He died, he had some talent, fine. There’s men and women dying every day in Afghanistan. Let’s give them the credit they deserve.<ref name="doesn't stop"/><ref name="blasts Jackson"/>


Due to the high-profile nature of Jackson's death, King's statement generated national media coverage. In reaction to the controversy, King said he felt "an obligation to speak out. I believe I'm articulating the views of a great majority of the American people".<ref name="sharp reaction">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-usking0712947209jul06,0,5775344.story |title=Sharp reaction to Peter King's statements on Jackson |publisher=Newsday.com |date=2009-07-06 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>
Due to the high-profile nature of Jackson's death, King's statement generated national media coverage. In reaction to the controversy, King said he felt "an obligation to speak out. I believe I'm articulating the views of a great majority of the American people".<ref name="sharp reaction"/>


===Comments about the [[Occupy Wall Street]] movement===
===Comments about the [[Occupy Wall Street]] movement===


On October 7, 2011:
On October 7, 2011:
{{quote|We have to be careful not to allow this to get any legitimacy. I’m taking this seriously in that I’m old enough to remember what happened in the 1960s when the left-wing took to the streets and somehow the media glorified them and it ended up shaping policy. We can’t allow that to happen.<ref name="ows">{{cite news|url=http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/10/08/republican-peter-king-calls-occupy-wall-street-protesters-a-ragtag-mob-warns-americans/|title=Republican Peter King Calls ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Protesters A ‘Ragtag Mob,’ Warns Americans|last=Foster|first=Stephen|publisher=Addicting Info|date=2011-10-08|accessdate=2011-10-10}}</ref>}}
{{quote|We have to be careful not to allow this to get any legitimacy. I’m taking this seriously in that I’m old enough to remember what happened in the 1960s when the left-wing took to the streets and somehow the media glorified them and it ended up shaping policy. We can’t allow that to happen.<ref name="ows"/>}}


==Committee assignments==
==Committee assignments==
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===Speculation of a 2010 Senate campaign===
===Speculation of a 2010 Senate campaign===
{{Main|United States Senate special election in New York, 2010}}
{{Main|United States Senate special election in New York, 2010}}
After briefly contemplating running for [[Governor of New York]] in 2010,<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/nyregion/01king.html New York Times 04/01/08]</ref> King announced that he was seriously thinking of running for the [[U.S. Senate]] in a [[special election]] for the last two years of the term won in 2006 by [[Hillary Clinton]], who had since been appointed [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stking105959213dec10,0,1474017.story|title=King plans to run against Clinton replacement in 2010|last=Madore|first=James T|date=2008-12-10|publisher=Newsday|accessdate=2009-01-23}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> King had contemplated running for Senate in 2000 against [[Hillary Clinton]],<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/junkie/archive/junkie051900.htm | work=The Washington Post | date=2000-05-22 | accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> and even created an exploratory committee in 2003 to challenge [[Chuck Schumer]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B11FC3E5A0C748CDDA80894DB404482 | work=The New York Times | title=Long Island Congressman Considers Senate Run | first=Bruce | last=Lambert | date=2003-01-07 | accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> Both times he ended up deciding against them. King said there would be no primary with former [[New York City]] Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]], as the latter would instead opt to throw his support behind King and possibly explore a gubernatorial bid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/giuliani-2010-senate-run_n_149877.html |title=Giuliani Senate run not happening, congressman says |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>
After briefly contemplating running for [[Governor of New York]] in 2010,<ref name="nyt 2008"/> King announced that he was seriously thinking of running for the [[U.S. Senate]] in a [[special election]] for the last two years of the term won in 2006 by [[Hillary Clinton]], who had since been appointed [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]].<ref name="plans to run"/> King had contemplated running for Senate in 2000 against [[Hillary Clinton]],<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/junkie/archive/junkie051900.htm | work=The Washington Post | date=2000-05-22 | accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> and even created an exploratory committee in 2003 to challenge [[Chuck Schumer]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B11FC3E5A0C748CDDA80894DB404482 | work=The New York Times | title=Long Island Congressman Considers Senate Run | first=Bruce | last=Lambert | date=2003-01-07 | accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> Both times he ended up deciding against them. King said there would be no primary with former [[New York City]] Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]], as the latter would instead opt to throw his support behind King and possibly explore a gubernatorial bid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/giuliani-2010-senate-run_n_149877.html |title=Giuliani Senate run not happening, congressman says |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>


When [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], the Congresswoman representing [[New York's 20th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|House]], was appointed to fill the seat until the special election by Governor [[David Paterson]], King said he would consider holding off on making a run for the seat: "If he appointed [[Caroline Kennedy]], I was ready to file papers right away because she’s a superstar and you can’t let her build a head of steam – and she was totally unqualified in my perspective. With Kirsten, she’s entitled to be given an opportunity to build a record for the state."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kraushaar |first=Josh |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0109/Peter_King_praises_Gillibrand.html |title=Peter King praises Gillibrand |publisher=Politico.com |date=2009-01-23 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref> However, two days after the Gillibrand pick, King demanded Paterson justify his selection of the congresswoman, saying there were more qualified candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-poking0126,0,4381835.story |title=Rep. Peter King calls on Paterson to justify Senate pick |publisher=Newsday.com |date=2010-12-16 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> In August 2009, King ruled out a senate run; however, in January 2010, he said he was reconsidering a run.<ref name="thehill.com">{{cite web|last=O'Brien |first=Michael |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/74191-rep-pete-king-reconsidering-senate-run |title=Rep. Pete King rethinking Senate run - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room |publisher=Thehill.com |date=2010-01-04 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref>
When [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], the Congresswoman representing [[New York's 20th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|House]], was appointed to fill the seat until the special election by Governor [[David Paterson]], King said he would consider holding off on making a run for the seat: "If he appointed [[Caroline Kennedy]], I was ready to file papers right away because she’s a superstar and you can’t let her build a head of steam – and she was totally unqualified in my perspective. With Kirsten, she’s entitled to be given an opportunity to build a record for the state."<ref name="praises"/> However, two days after the Gillibrand pick, King demanded Paterson justify his selection of the congresswoman, saying there were more qualified candidates.<ref name="calls on"/> In August 2009, King ruled out a senate run; however, in January 2010, he said he was reconsidering a run.<ref name="thehill.com"/>


===Potential 2012 Senate campaign===
===Potential 2012 Senate campaign===
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<ref name="2005-nysun.com">{{cite news | publisher=New York Sun | url=http://www.nysun.com/national/rep-king-and-the-ira-the-end-of-an-extraordinary/15853/ | title=Rep. King and the IRA: The End of an Extraordinary Affair? | date=2005-06-25 | first=Ed | last=Moloney}}</ref>
<ref name="2005-nysun.com">{{cite news | publisher=New York Sun | url=http://www.nysun.com/national/rep-king-and-the-ira-the-end-of-an-extraordinary/15853/ | title=Rep. King and the IRA: The End of an Extraordinary Affair? | date=2005-06-25 | first=Ed | last=Moloney}}</ref>

<ref name="blasts Jackson">{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/06/new-york-congressman-blasts-jackson-pervert-low-life/ | work=Fox News | title=New York Congressman Blasts Jackson as 'Pervert, Low-Life' | date=2009-07-06}}</ref>

<ref name="breakthrough">{{cite web|last=Gaffney|first=Frank|title=Breakthrough for a taboo-buster; Peter King’s hearings pointed spotlight on Shariah in America|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/washington-times-breakthrough-taboo-buster-peter-king’s-hearings-pointed-spotlight-shariah|publisher=Washington Times|accessdate=March 17, 2011}}</ref>


<ref name="budget watchers">Newsday, 4/10/83, Nassau Budget Watchers Begin to See Red</ref> In 1986, he ran a long-shot campaign{{Clarify|date=January 2010}} for New York State Attorney General against incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Robert Abrams]], losing by a 2-1 margin.
<ref name="budget watchers">Newsday, 4/10/83, Nassau Budget Watchers Begin to See Red</ref> In 1986, he ran a long-shot campaign{{Clarify|date=January 2010}} for New York State Attorney General against incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Robert Abrams]], losing by a 2-1 margin.

<ref name="CAIR">[http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/PeterKingHearings.aspx CAIR's testimony]</ref>


<ref name="CAIR's letter">{{cite web|url=http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/Coalition-Ltr-re-King-hearings.pdf |title=CAIR's Letter |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>
<ref name="CAIR's letter">{{cite web|url=http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/Coalition-Ltr-re-King-hearings.pdf |title=CAIR's Letter |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>


<ref name="calls on">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-poking0126,0,4381835.story |title=Rep. Peter King calls on Paterson to justify Senate pick |publisher=Newsday.com |date=2010-12-16 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>



<ref name="commentary" >{{cite web|author=<!-- --> |url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/alexmassie/archive/2007/June/ |title=Alex Massie's Blog &#124; Daily News Commentary for the Spectator |publisher=Spectator.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>
<ref name="commentary" >{{cite web|author=<!-- --> |url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/alexmassie/archive/2007/June/ |title=Alex Massie's Blog &#124; Daily News Commentary for the Spectator |publisher=Spectator.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>

<ref name="common sense">{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Rep. Joe|title=Using Common Sense in Muslim Radicalization|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/rep-walsh-op-ed-hill-using-common-sense-muslim-radicalization|publisher=The Hill|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>


<ref name="congressman behind">{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8371892/Peter-King-the-congressman-behind-the-radical-Islam-public-inquiry.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Alex | last=Massie | title=Peter King: the congressman behind the radical Islam public inquiry | date=2011-03-09}}</ref>
<ref name="congressman behind">{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8371892/Peter-King-the-congressman-behind-the-radical-Islam-public-inquiry.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Alex | last=Massie | title=Peter King: the congressman behind the radical Islam public inquiry | date=2011-03-09}}</ref>
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<ref name="dissent">''New York Times'', October 3, 1982, "Dissent in Nassau G.O.P", section 11, page 6, column 4; for Margiotta running a machine, see Ruth K. Scott, Ronald J. Hrebenar, ''Parties in crisis: party politics in America'', (1984), p. 123.</ref>
<ref name="dissent">''New York Times'', October 3, 1982, "Dissent in Nassau G.O.P", section 11, page 6, column 4; for Margiotta running a machine, see Ruth K. Scott, Ronald J. Hrebenar, ''Parties in crisis: party politics in America'', (1984), p. 123.</ref>

<ref name="doesn't stop">{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2009/07/peter_king_doesnt_stop_til_he.html|title=Peter King doesn't stop 'til he has enough (Spin Cycle)|last=Epstein|first=Reid|date=July 5, 2009|work=Newsday.com|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>


<ref name="final vote">{{cite news|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll037.xml|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 37|last=|first=|date=2009-01-27|publisher=US House of Representatives|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>
<ref name="final vote">{{cite news|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll037.xml|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 37|last=|first=|date=2009-01-27|publisher=US House of Representatives|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>


<ref name="former IRA">{{cite news|url=http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/member-87856-attention-politicians.html|title=Former IRA member's case draws attention of politicians|last=Sieff|first=Kevin|date=2008-06-22|publisher=Brownsville Herald|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>
<ref name="former IRA">{{cite news|url=http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/member-87856-attention-politicians.html|title=Former IRA member's case draws attention of politicians|last=Sieff|first=Kevin|date=2008-06-22|publisher=Brownsville Herald|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>

<ref name="GOP leaders">{{cite news|last=McLaughlin|first=Seth|title=GOP leaders back hearings on Muslims|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/8/gop-leaders-back-hearings-on-muslims/?page=1|accessdate=9 March 2011|newspaper=Washington Times|date=9 March 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="hearing">{{cite web|last=U.S. Government House Committee on Homeland Security|title=Hearing on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.”|url=http://homeland.house.gov/hearing/hearing-%E2%80%9C-extent-radicalization-american-muslim-community-and-communitys-response%E2%80%9D|publisher=U.S. Government House Committee on Homeland Security}}</ref>


<ref name="holder">{{cite web|last=King|first=Peter|title=Why Holder Must Resign|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/new-york-post-why-holder-must-resign|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=6 April 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="holder">{{cite web|last=King|first=Peter|title=Why Holder Must Resign|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/new-york-post-why-holder-must-resign|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=6 April 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="homegrown">{{cite web|author=By REP. BENNIE THOMPSON | 1/27/11 4:00 AM EST |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48239.html |title=Homegrown terrorists are not just Muslims |publisher=Politico.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>



<ref name="illegal ex-IRA">{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/06/pete_king_illegal_exira_fugiti.html|title=Pete King: Illegal ex-IRA fugitives are good bail risks!|last=Riley|first=John|date=2008-06-23|publisher=''Newsday'' blog|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>
<ref name="illegal ex-IRA">{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/06/pete_king_illegal_exira_fugiti.html|title=Pete King: Illegal ex-IRA fugitives are good bail risks!|last=Riley|first=John|date=2008-06-23|publisher=''Newsday'' blog|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>


<ref name="interview">{{cite news|last=Rubin |first=Jennifer |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2010/12/rep_peter_king_unplugged_part.html |title=Rep. Peter King interview (Part 2) |publisher=Voices.washingtonpost.com |date=2010-12-09 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>
<ref name="interview">{{cite news|last=Rubin |first=Jennifer |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2010/12/rep_peter_king_unplugged_part.html |title=Rep. Peter King interview (Part 2) |publisher=Voices.washingtonpost.com |date=2010-12-09 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>

<ref name="justice department">{{cite news|last=Bolduc|first=Brian|title=Peter King vs. Eric Holder Why did the Justice Department never indict CAIR?|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/ny03_king/justicedeptcair.html|accessdate=26 April 2011|newspaper=The National Review|date=April 26, 2011}}</ref>


<ref name="king bush">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/ny-usking265897586oct26,1,6051296,full.story|title=King, lone LI Republican, stands firmly with Bush|last=Epstein|first=Reid|date=2008-10-26|publisher=Los Angeles Times|work=Newsday|accessdate=2009-07-06}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
<ref name="king bush">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/ny-usking265897586oct26,1,6051296,full.story|title=King, lone LI Republican, stands firmly with Bush|last=Epstein|first=Reid|date=2008-10-26|publisher=Los Angeles Times|work=Newsday|accessdate=2009-07-06}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
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<ref name="king said">[http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0311/What_King_said.html What King said - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
<ref name="king said">[http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0311/What_King_said.html What King said - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

<ref name="LA sheriff">{{cite news|title=LA sheriff takes on King|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/LA_sheriff_takes_on_King.html?showall|publisher=[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]|date=2011-02-07}}</ref>

<ref name="letter">{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Bennie|title=Letter to Chairman King on Radicalization Hearings|url=http://homeland.house.gov/press-release/king-stands-firm-upcoming-hearings-islamic-radicalization|publisher=U.S. Congress House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee|accessdate=9 March 2011}}</ref>


<ref name=Massie>[[Alex Massie|Massie, Alex]] (2010-1-10) [http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-10/the-terrorists-man-in-washington/full/ The Terrorists' Man in Washington], ''[[The Daily Beast]]''</ref>
<ref name=Massie>[[Alex Massie|Massie, Alex]] (2010-1-10) [http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-10/the-terrorists-man-in-washington/full/ The Terrorists' Man in Washington], ''[[The Daily Beast]]''</ref>

<ref name="MPAC">{{cite web|url=http://www.mpac.org/programs/government-relations/dc-news-and-views/dear-rep.-king.php |title=MPAC's letter to Congressman King |publisher=Mpac.org |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>



<ref name=Murphy>Murphy, Tim (2011-01-19) [http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/peter-king-terrorism-problem Peter King's Terrorism Problem], ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]''</ref>
<ref name=Murphy>Murphy, Tim (2011-01-19) [http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/peter-king-terrorism-problem Peter King's Terrorism Problem], ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]''</ref>

<ref name="muslim son">{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/us/17convert.html | work=The New York Times | first=James | last=Dao | title=A Muslim Son, a Murder Trial and Many Questions | date=2010-02-17}}</ref>


<ref name="Muslims fear">{{cite news|last=Wan|first=William|title=N.Y. Muslims fear congressman's hearings could inflame Islamophobia|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/23/AR2011012304448.html|accessdate=1 March 2011|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 24, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="Muslims fear">{{cite news|last=Wan|first=William|title=N.Y. Muslims fear congressman's hearings could inflame Islamophobia|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/23/AR2011012304448.html|accessdate=1 March 2011|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 24, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="nyt 2008">[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/nyregion/01king.html New York Times 04/01/08]</ref>

<ref name="ows">{{cite news|url=http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/10/08/republican-peter-king-calls-occupy-wall-street-protesters-a-ragtag-mob-warns-americans/|title=Republican Peter King Calls ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Protesters A ‘Ragtag Mob,’ Warns Americans|last=Foster|first=Stephen|publisher=Addicting Info|date=2011-10-08|accessdate=2011-10-10}}</ref>


<ref name="panetta">{{cite web|last=King|first=Peter|title=King Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Nominate Panetta and Petraeus|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/ny03_king/kingonpanettapetraeusnoms.html|publisher=Representative Pete King Website|accessdate=28 April 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="panetta">{{cite web|last=King|first=Peter|title=King Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Nominate Panetta and Petraeus|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/ny03_king/kingonpanettapetraeusnoms.html|publisher=Representative Pete King Website|accessdate=28 April 2011}}</ref>
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<ref name="patriot act">{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04E7DC1030F936A25753C1A9609C8B63|title=THE ISLAND; Terrorist Nest? Or an Oasis Of Tolerance? |last=Finn|first=Robin|date=2006-10-15|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>
<ref name="patriot act">{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04E7DC1030F936A25753C1A9609C8B63|title=THE ISLAND; Terrorist Nest? Or an Oasis Of Tolerance? |last=Finn|first=Robin|date=2006-10-15|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref>

<ref name="plans to run">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stking105959213dec10,0,1474017.story|title=King plans to run against Clinton replacement in 2010|last=Madore|first=James T|date=2008-12-10|publisher=Newsday|accessdate=2009-01-23}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>



<ref name="political correctness">{{cite news|author=Yager, Jordy|title=Rep. King won't let 'political correctness' derail probe of Muslims|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/142713-king-not-going-to-bow-to-political-correctness|}}</ref>
<ref name="political correctness">{{cite news|author=Yager, Jordy|title=Rep. King won't let 'political correctness' derail probe of Muslims|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/142713-king-not-going-to-bow-to-political-correctness|}}</ref>
Line 349: Line 388:


<ref name="politico.com">[http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0907/Rep_King_There_are_too_many_mosques_in_this_country_.html "Rep. King: There are 'too many mosques in this country'"]. ''The Crypt's Blog - Politico.com''.</ref>
<ref name="politico.com">[http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0907/Rep_King_There_are_too_many_mosques_in_this_country_.html "Rep. King: There are 'too many mosques in this country'"]. ''The Crypt's Blog - Politico.com''.</ref>


<ref name="praises">{{cite web|last=Kraushaar |first=Josh |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0109/Peter_King_praises_Gillibrand.html |title=Peter King praises Gillibrand |publisher=Politico.com |date=2009-01-23 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref>


<ref name="radicalization">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/12/19/2010-12-19_rep_peter_king_to_hold_hearings_on_radicalization_of_american_muslims_critics_fe.html |title=Rep. Peter King to hold hearings on 'radicalization' of American Muslims, critics fear witchhunt |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=2010-12-19 |accessdate=2011-03-10 |location=New York |first=Dave |last=Goldiner}}</ref>
<ref name="radicalization">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/12/19/2010-12-19_rep_peter_king_to_hold_hearings_on_radicalization_of_american_muslims_critics_fe.html |title=Rep. Peter King to hold hearings on 'radicalization' of American Muslims, critics fear witchhunt |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=2010-12-19 |accessdate=2011-03-10 |location=New York |first=Dave |last=Goldiner}}</ref>
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<ref name="rich friends">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1563119.stm | work=BBC News | title=Rich friends in New York | date=2001-09-26 | accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref>
<ref name="rich friends">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1563119.stm | work=BBC News | title=Rich friends in New York | date=2001-09-26 | accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref>

<ref name="sharp reaction">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-usking0712947209jul06,0,5775344.story |title=Sharp reaction to Peter King's statements on Jackson |publisher=Newsday.com |date=2009-07-06 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="thehill.com">{{cite web|last=O'Brien |first=Michael |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/74191-rep-pete-king-reconsidering-senate-run |title=Rep. Pete King rethinking Senate run - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room |publisher=Thehill.com |date=2010-01-04 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref>

<ref name="threat">{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Rep. Mike|title=Threat of Homegrown Terrorist Real and Growing|url=http://homeland.house.gov/news/rep-mike-rogers-al-op-ed-hill-threat-homegrown-terrorists-real-and-growing|publisher=The Hill|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>


<ref name="UK terror">Elliott, Justin. [http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/13/peter_king_ira_terrorism/index.html "At U.K. terror inquiry, Rep. King defends I.R.A. terror."] ''Salon'', 13 September 2011.</ref>
<ref name="UK terror">Elliott, Justin. [http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/13/peter_king_ira_terrorism/index.html "At U.K. terror inquiry, Rep. King defends I.R.A. terror."] ''Salon'', 13 September 2011.</ref>

Revision as of 21:31, 10 October 2011

Peter T. King
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded byRobert Mrazek
Chairman of the United States House Committee on Homeland Security
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byBennie Thompson
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byChristopher Cox
Succeeded byBennie Thompson
Nassau County Comptroller
In office
1981–1993
Member of the Hempstead Town Council
In office
1977–1981
Personal details
Born (1944-04-05) April 5, 1944 (age 80)
New York City, New York
Political partyRepublican, Conservative
SpouseRosemary Weidl
ResidenceSeaford, New York
Alma materSt. Francis College
University of Notre Dame Law School
OccupationAttorney
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army National Guard
Years of service1968-1974
Unit69th Infantry Regiment(New York)

Peter T. "Pete" King (born April 5, 1944) is the U.S. Representative for New York's 3rd congressional district, serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. King's central Long Island district includes parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

King serves as the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and drew attention in early 2011 for holding hearings on the radicalization of Muslim Americans. He also sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Early life, education, and career

King was born in Manhattan and raised in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. His family has Irish roots that trace back to County Galway and County Limerick. His father, Peter King, was a New York City police officer.

King graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn in 1965 and earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1968. He then worked for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office until 1974.

King served in the 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard from 1968 until he was honorably discharged in 1974.

Early political career

King first sought public office in 1977, running for an at-large seat on the Hempstead, New York Town Council and winning with the backing of the then-powerful Nassau County Republican Party machine led by Joseph Margiotta. In 1981, he successfully ran for Nassau County Comptroller again with Margiotta's support; when, the next year, several prominent Republican politicans, led by then Senator Alfonse D'Amato, sought to replace Margiotta, King joined them.[1]

King was re-elected in 1985 and 1989. As Comptroller, he displayed independence, often criticizing the budget proposals of County Executives Francis Purcell and later County Executive Thomas Gulotta, both Republicans.[2]

During the 1990's King enjoyed a close relationship with the Muslim community in his congressional district. King often gave speeches at the Westbury Islamic Center, held book signings in the prayer hall, took in Muslim interns, and was one of the few Republicans who supported U.S. intervention in the 1990s to help Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo. The Muslim community thanked King for his work by making him the guest of honor for the 1993 opening of a $3 million prayer hall. For years, a picture of King cutting the ceremonial ribbon hung on the bulletin board by the mosque's entrance. [3]

Political positions

King opposes the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.[4] He opposed the 2009 economic stimulus package[5] and the Lillie Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.[6] He voted for the Wall Street bailout and he has been a vocal opponent of illegal immigration.[7]

Despite his earlier disagreements with George W. Bush,[8][9] King later became a Bush supporter: "Look, we have not been attacked in seven years and it's not because of luck."[7] Although he supported John McCain for president, King opposed McCain's 2007 effort to enact a path to citizenship for current illegal immigrants and also opposed McCain's calls for an end to torture methods used during terrorist suspect interrogations.[7] Unlike McCain, King supports congressional earmarks.[7] King has supported the Iraq War since 2002.[7] The New York Times wrote that King was "the Patriot Act's most fervent fan."[10]

On December 27, 2009, King commented on reports that Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who had allegedly tried to set off a suicide bomb on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on December 25, 2009, had subsequently confessed to being trained and equipped in Yemen.[11] King commented on how rumors of the confession should affect the repatriation of the Yemeni captives in Guantanamo.

“I think it’s a major mistake. I don’t think Guantanamo should be closed, but if we’re going to close it I don’t believe we should be sending people to Yemen where prisoners have managed to escape in the past….Obviously, if [Abdulmutallab] did get training and direction from Yemen, it just adds to what is already a dangerous situation.”

On May 27, 2010, the House of Representatives moved to vote to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Representative King voted against the repeal of this policy.

King criticized the activities of WikiLeaks and in December 2010 suggested that they be designated a "terrorist organization" and treated as such by U.S. agencies.[12]

On April 7, 2011 Rep. King released an op-ed piece in the New York Post calling for Attorney General Eric Holder to resign immediately following the announcement of where Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four co-conspirators in the September 11 attacks in 2001 would be tried for their crimes. Holder announced on Monday, April 4, 2011 that despite going against his own personal position the trials for these accused terrorists will be held in a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base instead of in a civilian court in New York City. Since 2009 King has argued against holding terrorist trials in New York City citing the enormous security risks and financial costs that would accompany a public trial. King summarizes his argument saying,

“If Holder feels so strongly that bringing the terrorists who killed more than 2,500 Americans to New York City for a civilian trial is, in fact, the morally correct decision, then he should do the honorable thing and resign. He should clear out his desk in Washington, pack his bags and, if he wants, go back to his old law firm, which represents so many terrorist defendants. I am proud that I stood virtually alone among elected officials back in November 2009 in denouncing Holder's plan to hold the 9/11 trials in lower Manhattan as the most irresponsible decision ever made by any attorney general.”[13]

On April 18, 2011 Rep. King continued his assault on Eric Holder with a letter addressed to the Attorney General demanding answers as to why Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), its co-founder Omar Ahmad, and other unindicted co-conspirators in the Holy Land Foundation Trial, would not be prosecuted by the Department of Justice. In the letter King wrote: “I have been reliably informed that the decision not to seek indictments of the Council on American Islamic Relations (“CAIR”) and its co-founder Omar Ahmad, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), was usurped by high-ranking officials at Department of Justice headquarters over the vehement and stated objections of special agents and supervisors of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas, who had investigated and successfully prosecuted the Holy Land Foundation case. Their opposition to this decision raises serious doubt that the decision not to prosecute was a valid exercise of prosecutorial discretion.” King included several questions for Holder to answer, requested a written response by April 25, 2011 and closed by writing, “I believe that in order to maintain the credibility of the Department, there should be full transparency into the Department’s decision.” Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Robert S. Mueller III was also sent a copy of the letter.[14]

Representative King praised President Barack Obama’s nominations of Leon Panetta for United States Secretary of Defense and General David Petraeus for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency saying, “"I strongly support the President's planned nominations. Director Panetta has done an outstanding job at the CIA, and General Petraeus has distinguished himself as one of the great American military leaders. Both men currently play integral roles in our Nation's war against al Qaeda and its affiliates and will be instrumental as we continue to combat the terrorist threat.”[15]


Comments

Comments about American mosques

In 2004, King claimed in an interview with conservative talk radio host Sean Hannity that "no American Muslim leaders are cooperating in the war on terror," and that "80-85 percent of mosques in this country are controlled by Islamic fundamentalists.... I'll stand by that number of 85 percent. This is an enemy living amongst us."[16] The Council on American-Islamic Relations denounced the comments as "Islamophobic bigotry" and Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe called on President George W. Bush to "condemn this latest example of hate-filled language."[16] In a September 2007 interview with the website Politico.com, Congressman King said that "There are too many mosques in this country... There are too many people sympathetic to radical Islam. We should be looking at them more carefully and finding out how we can infiltrate them." King later said he meant to say that too many mosques in the United States do not cooperate with law enforcement.

Support for the IRA

In the 1980s, King actively supported the Irish republican movement, and frequently traveled to Northern Ireland to meet with senior members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, many of whom he counted as friends.[8][17] In 1982, speaking at a pro-IRA rally in Nassau County, New York, King said: “We must pledge ourselves to support those brave men and women who this very moment are carrying forth the struggle against British imperialism in the streets of Belfast and Derry.”[8][18] "In 1985, he convened a press conference before the start of New York City's St. Patrick's Day parade (for which he was Grand Marshal), and offered a defiant defense of the IRA: 'As we march up the avenue and share all the joy,' he declared, 'let us never forget the men and women who are suffering and, most of all, the men and women who are fighting.'"[19] Regarding the 30 years of violence during which the IRA killed over 1700 people, including over 600 civilians, King said, "If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the IRA for it". King compared Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to George Washington and asserted that the "British government is a murder machine".[20]

He called the IRA "the legitimate voice of occupied Ireland."[21] A Northern Irish judge ordered King ejected from the former's courtroom, describing him as “an obvious collaborator with the IRA”.[8] King called himself "the Ollie North of Ireland."[19] King did not meet Gerry Adams until 1984, four years after his open support for the IRA began.[22] He became involved with NORAID, an organization that the British, Irish and US governments accuse of financing IRA activities and providing them with weapons.[8][23][24][25] Although some organizations reported that King was banned from appearing on British TV for his pro IRA views and refusing to condemn IRA activity, he was merely not interviewed.[8] When the Archbishop of New York embraced King at the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Daily Mail "dedicated an entire editorial to the affair and called it the 'handshake of shame.'"[19]

In 1993, King lobbied for Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to be a guest at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton.[19] In 2000, he called then-presidential candidate George W. Bush a tool of "anti-Catholic bigoted forces," after Bush visited Bob Jones University in South Carolina, "an institution that is notorious in Ireland for awarding an honorary doctorate to Northern Ireland's tempestuous Protestant leader, Ian Paisley."[8]

He stopped supporting the IRA after being offended by Irish public opposition to the invasion of Iraq, labelling it as begrudgery rather than and opposition to the war.[8]

In 2008, King spoke in defense of bail for a fugitive IRA member, Pól Brennan, who had escaped from prison in the UK and been detained in Texas 15 years later. The IRA member, who had broken out of prison during the Maze Prison escape and entered America illegally,[26] was being held without bail after his work permit expired; King said, "My experience dealing with [Irish] republicans is that they don't jump bail in this country. They honor their commitments."[27]

King has said that the IRA used British torture as a recruiting tool, but that it has no parallels with American treatment of suspects after 9/11.[28]

The Council on American-Islamic Relations denounced the comments as "Islamophobic bigotry" and Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe called on President George W. Bush to "condemn this latest example of hate-filled language."[16] In a September 2007 interview with the website Politico.com, Congressman King said that "There are too many mosques in this country... There are too many people sympathetic to radical Islam. We should be looking at them more carefully and finding out how we can infiltrate them."[29] King later said he meant to say that too many mosques in the United States do not cooperate with law enforcement.[30]

Radicalization hearings

In December 2010, King announced that when he became chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee he would hold hearings on the radicalization of American Muslims. While stating that, "The overwhelming majority of Muslims are outstanding citizens," he also claims that some Islamic clerics are telling their congregations to ignore extremism and to refrain from helping investigators.[31] King cites Justice Department statistics show that over the past two years, 50 U.S. citizens have been charged with major acts of terrorism, and all 50 individuals were motivated by radical Islamic ideologies.[3]

The first hearing, held on March 10, 2011, was entitled “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.” The hearing included testimony from Representative John D. Dingell of Michigan, Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, who is one of two Muslims in the U.S. Congress, Representative Frank Wolf of Virginia, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca. Others to provide testimony included Dr. M Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Muslim and Founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy; Melvin Bledsoe, whose son was arrested in connection with the 2009 Little Rock recruiting office shooting;[32] and Abdirizak Bihi, the Director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center.[33] The Council on American Islamic Relations submitted a statement to the committee.[34]

In an article for the National Review, King announced that the next two Homeland Security Committee hearings on radicalization will focus on foreign money coming into American mosques and al Shabab’s efforts to recruit young Muslims men in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first hearing is set for mid-May while the second is tentatively scheduled for July. King also said that he will continue to hold these radicalization hearings as long as he is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.[35]

Reactions

Bennie Thompson, the ranking member of the committee which King heads, has responded by saying that "none of these [law enforcement and intelligence] officials have backed King’s assertions that the Muslim community has not been helpful in thwarting terrorist attacks."[36] In a letter written to King, Thompson demanded that the scope of the hearings be widened to include all extremist groups in the United States, disregarding any ideological underpinnings.[37] Los Angeles County sheriff Lee Baca said that there was nothing to support King's claims of non-cooperation by American Muslims. Baca invited King to Los Angeles to show the cooperation between Muslim-Americans and law enforcement; a King spokesperson declined to comment on the invitation.[38]

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) in a letter to King claimed that his call was sweeping and misguided, calling for a meeting with him to discuss his initiatives, the proposed hearings, and the efforts of the Muslim American community in fighting radicalization.[39]

The Council on American Islamic Relations joined 50 other organizations, including Amnesty International, the Sikh Coalition, the Japanese American Citizens League and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and put out a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi stating:[40][41]

Singling out a group of Americans for government scrutiny based on their faith is divisive and wrong. These hearings will inevitably examine activities protected by the First Amendment, an affront to fundamental freedoms upon which our country was founded. It harkens back to hearings held in the 1950s by then-U.S. Senator Joe McCarthy. That dark chapter in our history taught us that Congress has a solemn duty to wield its investigatory power responsibly.

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel for the conservative religious organization American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which opposed the building of the Park 51 mosque,[42] declared his support for King and the hearings.

Without question, there’s a troubling factual pattern of American Muslims becoming radicalized and focusing on creating havoc here on U.S. soil. This hearing is designed to get to the bottom of what’s taking place in our nation — how al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations are recruiting and manipulating American Muslims to attack the U.S. This hearing isn’t about profiling — it’s about protecting our homeland.[43]

Frank Gaffney, Founder and President of the American Center for Security Policy, commended King on his hearing and said, “The real story is that Mr. King began a conversation about an issue that has long been deemed politically untouchable. He also established that there is, indeed, a problem of “extremism” within the American Muslim community.”[44]

Several members of Congress wrote letters showing their support for King and his hearings. Representatives Mike Rogers of Alabama and Joe Walsh of Illinois both wrote letters of support for King and his hearings on radicalization in the Muslim population. Rogers wrote that radicalization could happen anywhere in the United States, and thus it is an issue all Americans have to deal with: “If a kid from small town Alabama can transform into a violent al-Qaeda jihadist fighting with terrorists in Somalia, then imagine what’s possible if after radicalization one decides to stay here in the U.S. to conduct an attack.”[45] Walsh added, “Homegrown terrorists are the number one threat facing American families right now, and it would be irresponsible and negligent not to try and identify the causes of their radicalization.” [46]

Comments about Michael Jackson

On July 5, 2009, shortly after the death of Michael Jackson, King made a video statement calling the late entertainer a "child molester". He also chided the media for its coverage of Jackson's death: {{quote|Let’s knock out the psychobabble. He was a pervert, a child molester, he was a pedophile. And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? I just think we’re too politically correct. No one wants to stand up and say we don’t need Michael Jackson. He died, he had some talent, fine. There’s men and women dying every day in Afghanistan. Let’s give them the credit they deserve.[47][48]

Due to the high-profile nature of Jackson's death, King's statement generated national media coverage. In reaction to the controversy, King said he felt "an obligation to speak out. I believe I'm articulating the views of a great majority of the American people".[49]

Comments about the Occupy Wall Street movement

On October 7, 2011:

We have to be careful not to allow this to get any legitimacy. I’m taking this seriously in that I’m old enough to remember what happened in the 1960s when the left-wing took to the streets and somehow the media glorified them and it ended up shaping policy. We can’t allow that to happen.[50]

Committee assignments

King's committee assignments for the 112th United States Congress are:

Political campaigns

1986 NYS Republican ticket

1992 to 2008

When Democratic Congressman Robert Mrazek announced his short-lived candidacy for Senate against Republican incumbent Alphonse D'Amato in 1992, King ran for the now vacant 3rd Congressional District seat. Despite being outspent 5-to-1,[51] King won 50% to 47%. From 1993-2008, he sometimes faced only token opposition,[52] while in other races, he ran against those who could self-finance their campaigns. Yet, while King would be outspent in those races, he would win by double-digit margins.[53] In 2006, originally Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg was going to run against King but when he dropped out two days after his announcement, fellow legislator Dave Mejias ran instead. While many pundits and Long Island’s local newspaper, Newsday, believed this race would be close due to dissatisfaction with Bush,[54] King defeated Mejias 56 to 44%. King again sought re-election to Congress in 2008. The Democrats fielded 25-year-old newcomer Graham Long in a long-shot bid to defeat King.[55] King won the 2008 election with 64% of the vote.

In the 2008 presidential election, King encouraged candidate John McCain to bring up the subject of William Ayers and Ayers' association with Barack Obama.[56]

Speculation of a 2010 Senate campaign

Main article: United States Senate special election in New York, 2010

After briefly contemplating running for Governor of New York in 2010,[57] King announced that he was seriously thinking of running for the U.S. Senate in a special election for the last two years of the term won in 2006 by Hillary Clinton, who had since been appointed Secretary of State.[58] King had contemplated running for Senate in 2000 against Hillary Clinton,[59] and even created an exploratory committee in 2003 to challenge Chuck Schumer.[60] Both times he ended up deciding against them. King said there would be no primary with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as the latter would instead opt to throw his support behind King and possibly explore a gubernatorial bid.[61]

When Kirsten Gillibrand, the Congresswoman representing New York's 20th congressional district in the House, was appointed to fill the seat until the special election by Governor David Paterson, King said he would consider holding off on making a run for the seat: "If he appointed Caroline Kennedy, I was ready to file papers right away because she’s a superstar and you can’t let her build a head of steam – and she was totally unqualified in my perspective. With Kirsten, she’s entitled to be given an opportunity to build a record for the state."[62] However, two days after the Gillibrand pick, King demanded Paterson justify his selection of the congresswoman, saying there were more qualified candidates.[63] In August 2009, King ruled out a senate run; however, in January 2010, he said he was reconsidering a run.[64]

Potential 2012 Senate campaign

King has been speculated as a possible candidate for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Kristen Gillibrand. So far he has said he is keeping his options open.[65]

Electoral history

Third party candidates omitted, so percentages may not add up to 100%.

New York's 3rd U.S. Congressional District[66]
Year Candidate Votes %
2010 Peter T. King (R) 126,142 72.0%
Howard Kudler (D) 48,963 28.0%
2008 Peter T. King (R) 135,648 64.02%
Graham Long (D) 76,918 35.08%
2006 Peter T. King (R) 101,787 56.04%
David Mejias (D) 79,843 43.95%
2004 Peter T. King (R) 171,259 62.96%
Blair Mathies (D) 100,737 37.03%
2002 Peter T. King (R) 121,537 71.88%
Stuart Finz (D) 46,022 27.22%
2000 Peter T. King (R) 143,126 59.52%
Dal LaMagna (D) 95,787 39.84%
1998 Peter T. King (R) 117,258 64.29%
Kevin Langberg (D) 63,628 34.88%
1996 Peter T. King (R) 127,972 55.29%
Dal LaMagna (D) 97,518 42.13%
1994 Peter T. King (R) 115,236 59.23%
Norma Grill (D) 77,774 39.98%
1992 Peter T. King (R) 124,727 49.56%
Steve Orlins (D) 116,915 46.46%

Personal life

King resides in Seaford, New York with his wife, Rosemary King, with whom he has two adult children and one grandson. King has two siblings, Kevin and Barbara. He is an author of three novels that are loosely based on his years in Congress: Terrible Beauty, Deliver Us From Evil, and Vale of Tears.

See also

References

  1. ^ New York Times, October 3, 1982, "Dissent in Nassau G.O.P", section 11, page 6, column 4; for Margiotta running a machine, see Ruth K. Scott, Ronald J. Hrebenar, Parties in crisis: party politics in America, (1984), p. 123.
  2. ^ Newsday, 4/10/83, Nassau Budget Watchers Begin to See Red
  3. ^ a b Wan, William (January 24, 2011). "N.Y. Muslims fear congressman's hearings could inflame Islamophobia". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  4. ^ King, Peter (2009-02-26). "THE REAL GITMO: 100% HUMANE". New York Post. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  5. ^ "WINNERS & LOSERS Stimulus Edition". Crain's New York. 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  6. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 37". US House of Representatives. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  7. ^ a b c d e Epstein, Reid (2008-10-26). "King, lone LI Republican, stands firmly with Bush". Newsday. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-07-06. [dead link]
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Moloney, Ed (2005-06-25). "Rep. King and the IRA: The End of an Extraordinary Affair?". New York Sun.
  9. ^ "Bush, Gore win most endorsements". USA Today. 2000-02-22. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  10. ^ Finn, Robin (2006-10-15). "THE ISLAND; Terrorist Nest? Or an Oasis Of Tolerance?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  11. ^ Josh Gerstein (2009-12-27). "Bomb plot complicates Gitmo plan". Politico. Archived from the original on 2009-12-28.
  12. ^ McCullagh, Declan. "Congressman wants WikiLeaks listed as terrorist group". News.cnet.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  13. ^ King, Peter. "Why Holder Must Resign". New York Post. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  14. ^ Wolfe, Shane. "King Demands Answers from Holder on Decision Not to Prosecute CAIR, its Co-Founder, and other Unindicted Co-Conspirators in Holy Land Foundation Case". House Committee on Homeland Security. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  15. ^ King, Peter. "King Statement on President Obama's Plan to Nominate Panetta and Petraeus". Representative Pete King Website. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  16. ^ a b c Congressman: Muslims 'enemy amongst us', WorldNetDaily
  17. ^ Massie, Alex (2011-03-09). "Peter King: the congressman behind the radical Islam public inquiry". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  18. ^ "Alex Massie's Blog | Daily News Commentary for the Spectator". Spectator.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  19. ^ a b c d Murphy, Tim (2011-01-19) Peter King's Terrorism Problem, Mother Jones
  20. ^ Finn, Peter (2011-03-05). "As Rep. Peter King's Muslim hearings approach, his past views draw ire". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  21. ^ Massie, Alex (2010-1-10) The Terrorists' Man in Washington, The Daily Beast
  22. ^ "King of the hill changes his tune". The Irish Times. 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  23. ^ "Law: Passing the Hat for the Provos". Time. 1979-11-26. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  24. ^ "Rich friends in New York". BBC News. 2001-09-26. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  25. ^ "Decommissioning in the summer - Ahern". BBC News. 1998-04-12. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  26. ^ Riley, John (2008-06-23). "Pete King: Illegal ex-IRA fugitives are good bail risks!". Newsday blog. Retrieved 2009-07-06. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Sieff, Kevin (2008-06-22). "Former IRA member's case draws attention of politicians". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  28. ^ Elliott, Justin. "At U.K. terror inquiry, Rep. King defends I.R.A. terror." Salon, 13 September 2011.
  29. ^ "Rep. King: There are 'too many mosques in this country'". The Crypt's Blog - Politico.com.
  30. ^ What King said - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com
  31. ^ Goldiner, Dave (2010-12-19). "Rep. Peter King to hold hearings on 'radicalization' of American Muslims, critics fear witchhunt". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  32. ^ Dao, James (2010-02-17). "A Muslim Son, a Murder Trial and Many Questions". The New York Times.
  33. ^ U.S. Government House Committee on Homeland Security. "Hearing on "The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response."". U.S. Government House Committee on Homeland Security.
  34. ^ CAIR's testimony
  35. ^ Bolduc, Brian (April 26, 2011). "Peter King vs. Eric Holder Why did the Justice Department never indict CAIR?". The National Review. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  36. ^ By REP. BENNIE THOMPSON. "Homegrown terrorists are not just Muslims". Politico.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10. {{cite web}}: Text "1/27/11 4:00 AM EST" ignored (help)
  37. ^ Thompson, Bennie. "Letter to Chairman King on Radicalization Hearings". U.S. Congress House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  38. ^ "LA sheriff takes on King". Politico. 2011-02-07.
  39. ^ "MPAC's letter to Congressman King". Mpac.org. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  40. ^ Yager, Jordy. "Rep. King won't let 'political correctness' derail probe of Muslims". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  41. ^ "CAIR's Letter" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  42. ^ Findlaw
  43. ^ McLaughlin, Seth (9 March 2011). "GOP leaders back hearings on Muslims". Washington Times. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  44. ^ Gaffney, Frank. "Breakthrough for a taboo-buster; Peter King's hearings pointed spotlight on Shariah in America". Washington Times. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  45. ^ Rogers, Rep. Mike. "Threat of Homegrown Terrorist Real and Growing". The Hill. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  46. ^ Walsh, Rep. Joe. "Using Common Sense in Muslim Radicalization". The Hill. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  47. ^ Epstein, Reid (July 5, 2009). "Peter King doesn't stop 'til he has enough (Spin Cycle)". Newsday.com. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  48. ^ "New York Congressman Blasts Jackson as 'Pervert, Low-Life'". Fox News. 2009-07-06.
  49. ^ "Sharp reaction to Peter King's statements on Jackson". Newsday.com. 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2010-08-23.[dead link]
  50. ^ Foster, Stephen (2011-10-08). "Republican Peter King Calls 'Occupy Wall Street' Protesters A 'Ragtag Mob,' Warns Americans". Addicting Info. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  51. ^ Newsday, 10/21/1992, Well Financed 1st Run For Congress
  52. ^ OpenSecrets.org, 1998 Race Profile, 2000 Race Profile, 2002 Race Profile, 2004 Race Profile
  53. ^ Newsday 9/19/1996, Tweezerman's Offbeat Campaign Makes Sense, Newsday, 9/28/2000, Candidates Seeking Comeback Campaigns
  54. ^ Palmer, J. Jioni (2006-10-22). "King rides against wave". Newsday.
  55. ^ Democrats take longshot against King
  56. ^ Gordon, Craig (2008-10-15). "Wednesday's debate: Do-or-die time for McCain?". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-07-06.[dead link]
  57. ^ New York Times 04/01/08
  58. ^ Madore, James T (2008-12-10). "King plans to run against Clinton replacement in 2010". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-01-23.[dead link]
  59. ^ The Washington Post. 2000-05-22 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/junkie/archive/junkie051900.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-22. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  60. ^ Lambert, Bruce (2003-01-07). "Long Island Congressman Considers Senate Run". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  61. ^ "Giuliani Senate run not happening, congressman says". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  62. ^ Kraushaar, Josh (2009-01-23). "Peter King praises Gillibrand". Politico.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  63. ^ "Rep. Peter King calls on Paterson to justify Senate pick". Newsday.com. 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2011-03-10.[dead link]
  64. ^ O'Brien, Michael (2010-01-04). "Rep. Pete King rethinking Senate run - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room". Thehill.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  65. ^ Rubin, Jennifer (2010-12-09). "Rep. Peter King interview (Part 2)". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  66. ^ "New York House District 3 – Previous Election Results". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 2008-02-03.[dead link]
U.S. House of Representatives

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U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
82nd 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Chris Cox
California
 Chairman of House Homeland Security Committee
2005–2007 		Succeeded by
Bennie Thompson
Mississippi
Preceded by
Bennie Thompson
Mississippi
 Chairman of House Homeland Security Committee
2011–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican Nominee for New York State Attorney General
1986 		Succeeded by

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