Former deputy attorney general objected to Bush spy program

[ProSense]

Former top US justice official objected to Bush spy program
56 minutes ago


WASHINGTON (AFP) - A former top official at the US Justice Department objected in 2004 to aspects of the National Security Agency's domestic spying program and refused to back it amid concerns about the program's legality and oversight.

The revelation of the secret spy program, underwhich US President George W. Bush authorized a covert wiretap program targetting domestic telephone and Internet communications, has sparked a political firestorm in the United States.

The New York Times reported Sunday that a refusal by James Comey, who in 2004 was the deputy attorney general of the United States, to back aspects of the program appears to have led to its temporary suspension.

Citing officials familiar with the deliberations, who requested anonymity, the report said Comey's refusal to back the program led senior Bush aides Andrew Card and Alberto Gonzales, who is now Attorney General himself, to make a hospital visit to then Attorney General John Ashcroft in a bid to win his backing for the program.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060101/ts_afp/usattacksintelligence_060101154540

He voiced his objection in 2004? What took so long?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Anyone else have a problem with the Gonzales Justice Dept

opening a criminal investigation on who squealed on THEM!? Clearly a conflict of interest that needs an independent probe.

[ProSense]

2. The fact that they are launching an investigation

into who blew the whistle on them is beyond a conflict of interest, it's more abuse of power.

[Mme. Defarge]

3. Exactly!

The ultimate intimidation.

[kcass1954]

4. Isn't Comey the guy who appointed Fitz? n/t

[ProSense]

5. Yes, he did appoint Fitzgerald. n/t

[ProSense]

6. What does it all mean? Comey ticked off Bush; appoints Fitzgerald

(From the original NYT article)

Snip...

Nearly a dozen current and former officials, who were granted anonymity because of the classified nature of the program, discussed it with reporters for The New York Times because of their concerns about the operation's legality and oversight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/15/politics/15cnd-program.html?ex=1292302800&en=63736654e4101aee&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss


(From Newsweek today)

Snip...

On one day in the spring of 2004, White House chief of staff Andy Card and the then White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales made a bedside visit to John Ashcroft, attorney general at the time, who was stricken with a rare and painful pancreatic disease, to try—without success—to get him to reverse his deputy, Acting Attorney General James Comey, who was balking at the warrantless eavesdropping. Miffed that Comey, a straitlaced, by-the-book former U.S. attorney from New York, was not a "team player" on this and other issues, President George W. Bush dubbed him with a derisive nickname, "Cuomo," after Mario Cuomo, the New York governor who vacillated over running for president in the 1980s. (The White House denies this; Comey declined to comment.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10663996/site/newsweek


(Fitzgerald appointment announced)

Ashcroft recused from leak investigation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft recused himself from a probe into the leak of a CIA officer's name, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

James Comey, deputy attorney general, said at a Washington news conference that he would now be the "acting attorney general for this case."

Comey said Ashcroft had suggested the appointment of a special counsel for the case. To fill that position, Comey choose U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald.

The Justice Department has been looking into allegations that someone at the White House told syndicated newspaper columnist Robert Novak the name of a CIA employee.

http://www.upi.com/inc/view.php?StoryID=20031230-020156-4881r