Hazardous material crews tested a Washington, D.C. hotel for hazardous chemicals yesterday after U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed while giving a speech, the Washington Post reported. No dangerous materials were detected.
The 67-year-old Mukasey lost consciousness after he began shaking and having speaking difficulties while delivering an address on the Bush administration's antiterrorism efforts.
"He was clearly struggling," said a lawyer in attendance. "Then his face went limp, he started shaking as if he were having a seizure and then he fell back."
Officials ordered the chemical scan after a 29-year-old audience member also showed signs of distress.
Mukasey spent the night at George Washington University Hospital and was released today after receiving "a clean bill of health," said Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona (Washington Post, Nov. 21).