Monica Goodling concedes that a political line was crossed in hiring at the Justice Department.

WHEN HE TESTIFIED before a House Judiciary subcommittee this month, former deputy attorney general James B. Comey said he was horrified by reports that the department was examining the political affiliations of lawyers being considered for career positions. “If that was going on, that strikes at the core of what the Department of Justice is,” Mr. Comey said.

Yesterday, promised that her testimony could not be used against her in a criminal prosecution, Monica M. Goodling, former senior counsel to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, admitted to doing exactly that as she screened applicants for prosecutorial positions. “I know I took political considerations into account on some occasions . . . I know I crossed the line,” Ms. Goodling said. This was, for the reasons Mr. Comey suggested, a sad moment for anyone who cares about the Justice Department.

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It was sad, as well, that so many Republican committee members chose to ignore this ugly fact and heap praise on Ms. Goodling.

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In pushing prosecutors to investigate voter fraud and dumping ones who didn’t perform, was the White House pursuing a legitimate prosecutorial priority or an avenue of partisan gain? The complaints from lawmakers that President Bush passed on to Mr. Gonzales and the similar involvement of Mr. Rove contain more than a whiff of political self-interest. That is a legitimate and important area for congressional inquiry, and it is looking increasingly as if the answers are to be found at the White House.