"The Justice Department will not be testifying at the upcoming three-day hearing probing the takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters by the American Indian Movement (AIM). This is because the FBI is still investigating the matter and seeking to prosecute those responsible for the destruction and theft of Indian artifacts and records.

Morton said that negotiations between the Indians and Interior officials quickly broke down when the Indians demanded to talk to White House personnel. He emphasized that the situation was defused without injury to anyone, and that the White House did not unlawfully assume the duties of the secretary of Interior."