John Ashcroft's First Year as Attorney General

At the Justice Department, Ashcroft has raised concerns by leading daily sessions of prayer and Bible Study. Federal government guidelines on religious exercise and religious expression in the workplace urge supervisors to exercise particular care so that employees not perceive any coercion, whether intended or not, to participate in such gatherings.

As the highest-ranking supervisor at the Justice Department, Ashcroft's conduct is questionable under those guidelines.