 | EFL to snip duplications from the other NSA-related stories posted today. |
WASHINGTON â The investigation into who leaked information about a National Security Agency secret wiretapping program on potential terror suspects needs to focus on the motivation behind the leak, a Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday. "There are differences between felons and whistleblowers, and we ought to wait 'til the investigation occurs to decide what happened," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., told "FOX News Sunday."
| Having discovered that the burner on the stove is hot, Senator Schumer is looking for some ointment. |
The Justice Department on Friday opened an investigation into who leaked the information about the program, sparking debate over its threat to national security and presidential powers versus civil liberties.
President Bush has cited his constitutional powers and a congressional resolution after the Sept. 11 attacks to justify his approval of the program. But Bush's decision to allow the secret wiretapping program is questionable, Schumer said. "The president thought that there was a problem, instead of coming to the people and saying he needs changes in the law; he just did it on his own," Schumer said . "It calls into question the way the president and the vice president change things."
| So Chuck, had the President come to the Congress for this (assuming that he needed to), you would have said 'yes', correct? |
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he welcomes the investigation, adding that members of Congress were briefed on the program and didn't reject it. "Thank goodness the department is investigating who is leaking this information that could threaten our safety," McConnell told "FOX News Sunday." "We need new techniques in the wake of 9-11."
Schumer sent a letter Sunday to [Senator Arlan] Specter requesting current and former administration officials be called as witnesses and suggesting that they avoid any attempt to use executive privilege to prevent testimony. Some officials include Comey, Ashcroft, Gonzales and Card.
The White House said that the program was "reviewed regularly and approved by top officials including those at the Justice Department." But Schumer and other critics say that while the president needs tools to fight the War on Terror, other factors need to be reviewed to make sure there is a balance between security and liberty. "When you want to shift balance, [you] must have open debate and rules that are set," Schumer said.
| Of course, an open debate would tip off the very people we're trying to find. |
The investigation needs to focus on finding out who leaked the information, McConnell said. "We are talking about intercepts with people who are talking internationally and planning another 9-11," McConnell said. "I applaud the Justice Department for beginning it."
The information may have been leaked to the media because they didn't agree with the program, Schumer said.
| Does that give them the right to violate the law? And if the leakers turn out to be wrong -- the program in the end passes constitutional muster -- what excuse do they then have? |
Supreme Court Justice nominee Samuel Alito may face tough questions about the program in his upcoming Senate confirmation hearings, which are set to begin on Jan. 9. "The revelation about the NSA leaks means that the Supreme Court will play a very important role," Schumer said. "There are serious questions to be asked. We'll see where Alito comes down."
| I suspect Judge Alito will decline to answer the question on the grounds that the USSC may have to rule on it. |
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