Wolf backs off statement about ousting Kane [updated]
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has called on Attorney General Kathleen Kane to step down since August, when she was charged with perjury and other criminal counts. (AP file photo)
Gov. Tom Wolf is backpedaling on his statement that he would have no choice but to remove Kathleen Kane as Pennsylvania’s attorney general if the state Senate votes for it.In a WITF radio interview Wednesday, Wolf said that if a two-thirds Senate majority invokes an obscure constitutional provision to remove Kane from her elected office, he would have to “do their bidding.”
“They seem to think they have that power,” said Wolf during an appearance on WITF’s “Smart Talk” program. “And if they vote that, evidently then that’s what my job has to be.”
At a news conference later in the day, Wolf said that was “a poor choice of words” and that he’s still “grappling” with what the Constitution means.
The Senate is considering whether to launch a formal process to remove Kane, who continues to run her office with a suspended law license while fighting charges she leaked confidential information.
Kane said she’s done nothing wrong.
A Senate committee voted 5-2 last week to move forward with the removal process for Kane in light of her suspended law license. Kane has said she will fight the move, which she considers to be unconstitutional.
Wolf has called on the attorney general to resign since August, when she was charged with perjury and other criminal counts, but Kane has said she will fight the charges without stepping down.
WHYY’s Mary Wilson contributed to this report.
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