http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500864.html

They needed Ashcroft's signature on a document which would legalize wiretaps. The document was phrased in such a manner as to remove the Executive Branch from oversight by Congress or the Supreme Court.

Ashcroft was deathly sick, and refused, but he didn't have the powers of Attorney General anyway. They had passed to a deputy, who wouldn't sign, and the next 6 people in line refused to sign and said they would resign.

Gonzalez finally signed it, but he was White House Counsel and that didn't carry the weight.

But it was a good run by Bush and Cheney to establish a dictatorship.