[192][193] Bush responded to mounting criticism by claiming to accept full responsibility for the federal government's failures in its handling of the emergency.[188] It has been argued that with Katrina, Bush passed a political tipping point from which he would not recover.[194]

Midterm dismissal of U.S. attorneys
Main article: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
President Bush announcing his nomination of Alberto Gonzales as the next U.S. Attorney General, November 10, 2004
During Bush's second term, a controversy arose over the Justice Department's midterm dismissal of seven United States Attorneys.[195] The White House maintained that they were fired for poor performance.[196] Attorney General Alberto Gonzales later resigned over the issue, along with other senior members of the Justice Department.[197][198] The House Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas for advisers Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten to testify regarding this matter, but Bush directed Miers and Bolten to not comply with those subpoenas, invoking his right of executive privilege. Bush maintained that all his advisers were protected under a broad executive privilege protection to receive candid advice. The Justice Department determined that the President's order was legal.