Well, the "right" you refer to in your post is as I explained: the federal government feels that its creditor status is best preserved by the departure of the GM head.

Also, the federal government does not have ownership of or an ownership interest in either AIG or Citigroup. In exchange for federal loans, those two companies have pledged a certain amount of their equity as collateral for those loans in case they default on the loan terms. Such equity does not constitute ownership.

I'm not sure what you are referring to by "bringing to bear on GM". The loans to AIG and Citigroup are meant to assist it with meet past finanical liabilities; the loans to GM are meant to assist it with meeting current and future financial liabilities.