by Jim Kouri, CPP
The US Department of Justice has directed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct an in-depth investigation in order to determine who disclosed a secret National Security Agency intelligence operation to a reporter from the New York Times.
“We are opening an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of classified materials related to the NSA,” said DOJ spokesperson Trent Duffy during a press conference earlier today.
When the New York Times suddenly broke the story about the NSA top secret operation Bush conceded that he indeed authorized the program. He called its disclosure to The New York Times “a shameful act.” He said he expected a Justice Department leak investigation into who disclosed the National Security Agency eavesdropping operation would be conducted.
According to the Bush White House, the DOJ and FBI began the investigation without consulting with White House staff, but the President approved of their investigation to find the leaker whose actions are believed to have caused severe damage to national security and homeland security. Now with Republican and Democrat liberals poking their noses into the NSA program, some intelligence and law enforcement officials fear there will be even more leaks of classified information — including information on methods and sources.
The New York Times story of the covert spying program came out just as Senators were debating the future of the Patriot Act. This latest leaked story has triggered concerns among both Democrats and Republicans liberals who are attempting to score political points by making ridiculous statements aimed at inciting public displeasure with the covert program.
“These people including the liberals’ lapdogs in the news media are actually lying to the American people by implying that the NSA is indiscriminately spying on Americans. That’s baloney. They kept people in the United States under surveillance who were contacted by suspects in other countries, ” says Sid Francis, a 40-year veteran in law enforcement and security.
Several lawmakers jumped at the chance to have hearings by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, a Republican from Pennsylvania. Specter appears more concerned with investigating the White House than in apprehending the leaker who just may be sitting next to him on his senate committee.
Former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik angrily said, “Where’s the outrage by our political leaders over this leak? During the Plame investigation they tripped over each other to make public statements. Where’s the outrage now?”
Kerik, who also served as Minister of Interior in Iraq during the early days following the end of major combat, believes the NSA program has been severely tainted by this leak.
The reporter who broke the New York Times story, James Risen, is scheduled to have a book released soon and he’s been quiet about what’s contained in his in-depth story about the very same topic of NSA spying. The FBI and Justice Department have not commented on whether or not they’ve contact the New York Times or James Risen.
Some law enforcement officials believe that this case is not just about politicians or politically motivated intelligence officers leaking classified information to the news media to hurt a US President; they believe it’s about treason on the part of the leaker and the reporter who tactically used the story to have an adverse impact on the outcome of the Senate vote for the Patriot Act. A more cynical motive for Risen may be simply the promotion of a book that may pay him handsomely.
Bush Administration officials have strongly defended the policy of authorizing — without court orders — eavesdropping on international phone calls and e-mails by Americans suspected of links to terrorism. They say it was legal and necessary to help defend the country after the September 11 attacks. A recent Rasmussen poll shows Americans, by a wide margin (62%) support the NSA spy program.
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He’s also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He’s a staff writer for New Media Alliance (thenma.org), and he’s a columnist for TheConservativeVoice.Com, AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he’s syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He’s appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores. If you wish to sign up for his intelligence reports, write to JimKouriReports@aol.com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.us
