VIDEO: Top Bush Official Reveals White House Never Investigated Plame Leak

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/16/white-house-plame-leak/

Top Bush Official Reveals White House Never Investigated Plame Leak

Dr. James Knodell, director of the Office of Security at the White House, revealed today that there was no evidence that the White House ever ordered a probe, report, or sactions as a result of the Plame leak. “I have no knowledge of any investigation in my office,” he said.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) said he was “shocked” by Knodell’s testimony, adding that the White House’s lack of action was a “breach on top of a breach.”

Knodell claimed the White House did not investigate because there was an outside investigation taking place. But Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) noted that the investigation “didn’t start until months and months later, and had the purpose of narrowly looking to see whether there was a criminal law violated.” Waxman asked, “But there was an obligation for the White House to investigate whether classified information was being leaked inappropriately, wasn’t there?” Knodell answered, “If that was the case, yes.” Watch it AT LINK:

Shortly after the leak was revealed by Novak, Bush said he wanted an investigation to identify the leaker:

A senior official quoted Bush as saying, “I want to get to the bottom of this,” during a daily meeting yesterday morning with a few top aides, including Rove.

Bush: “If there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is.“

E&P reports, “The White House had first opposed Knodell testifying but after a threat of a subpoena from the committee yesterday he was allowed to appear today.”

Transcript:

CUMMINGS: Let me ask you a few questions, because in answering some of the chairman’s questions, you left me shocked. And I want to make sure I heard you right.

Are you saying, with regard to this case — that is the outing of Valerie Plame Wilson — there is no report?

KNODELL: Not in my office; there is not.

CUMMINGS: And are you also saying that there was no investigation?

KNODELL: Not by my office.

CUMMINGS: Not by your office. And so you would — I could conclude then that there were no sanctions. Is that correct? No sanctions within your office? I mean — is it one of your jobs, is it part of your job to recommend sanctions where you find that there is then a breach?

KNODELL: Correct. But there was already an outside investigation that was taking place — criminal investigation. That’s why we took no action.

CUMMINGS: Now, one of your main objectives for being in the White House is to make sure that you — make sure that these kinds of things don’t happen. Is that right?

KNODELL: Correct.

CUMMINGS: And I would assume that if anyone were to take the job that you took, that one of their — in considering what happened before you got there — that this would be something that would be on the minds of everybody, because, again, this is like bells ringing, alarms going off.

CUMMINGS: This is the kind of thing that you don’t want to do, because this could end up in your lap. Is that right?

KNODELL: In this particular case, you’re absolutely right. This started long before my tenure in this position. By the time I took the position, the criminal investigation was already under way.

CUMMINGS: But did you look into it at all? You didn’t look into it at all?

KNODELL: Right.

CUMMINGS: I mean, just so that you could make sure you did your job right and didn’t allow this to happen again?

KNODELL: We didn’t want to have collateral investigations going on at the same time, sir.

CUMMINGS: So if there is a criminal investigation and you have got to — you’re trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again, so you don’t even look into it at all?

In other words, you, as the guy — you’re the guy who is responsible for guarding all of this and making sure that everything goes right. So it sounds to me like we had a breach on top of a breach. We had one situation where Ms. Valerie Plame Wilson’s identity and covert status was disclosed. And then within the very office within the White House, there’s no report, there’s no investigation and there are no sanctions.

KNODELL: Sir, again, any reporting would have taken place prior to my arriving into the office.

CUMMINGS: Now, the criminal case is…

WAXMAN: Will the gentleman yield to me…

CUMMINGS: Of course.

WAXMAN: … because I just want to pin this point down? Do you know whether there was an investigation at the White House after the leaks came out?

KNODELL: I don’t have any knowledge of an investigation within my office.

WAXMAN: Ever?

KNODELL: I do not.

WAXMAN: Because the president said he was investigating this matter and was going to get the bottom of it. You’re not aware that any investigation took place?

KNODELL: Not within my office, sir.

WAXMAN: And if there was an investigation, what were you referring to, Mr. Fitzgerald’s investigation?

KNODELL: Yes, the outside investigation.

WAXMAN: OK, that didn’t start until months and months later, and that had the purpose of narrowly looking to see whether there was a criminal law violated. But there was an obligation for the White House to investigate whether classified information was being leaked inappropriately, wasn’t there?

KNODELL: If that was the case, yes.

[Bitwit1234]

1. Add one more lie

to bush's ever growing list. You are damn right they did not want an investigation. And by now all the really good evidence has hit the shredder. I suppose it was carried to cheney's house and the big heavy duty shredder was put to good use.

[Lord Balto]

25. "We welcome people with different views"

Like Malloy says, "Jesus Christ!"

[Botany]

2. But * said that he would get to the bottom of it.

We'll get to the bottom of this and move on. But I want to tell you something -- leaks of classified information are a
bad thing. And we've had them -- there's too much leaking in Washington. That's just the way it is. And we've had
leaks out of the administrative branch, had leaks out of the legislative branch, and out of the executive branch and
the legislative branch, and I've spoken out consistently against them and I want to know who the leakers are.
bush -- Chicago, Illinois, Sep. 30, 2003

Lying mother f***ing, war stating, election stealing, insider dealing, Saudi go for,
phony cowboy, coke snorting, stupid, scum bag.

Investigate? ..... both Cheney & bush lawyered up in the summer of '04 about Plame's outing.

[WolverineDG]

19. Can we impeach the bastards now?

Have I ever told you you're my Fav? :loveya:

dg

[EVDebs]

26. Brewster Jennings' anti-proliferation efforts legitimate

but they interfered with the illigitimate Bushco runup to war and contradicted the 'official story', therefore in Bush's world where you make up the facts as you go along, Brewster Jennings was next on the list (dealing with Iranian WMD efforts).

Who was going to be the 'Curveball' and Chalabi for Iran's upcoming preemptive war with Brewster Jennings in the way ?

[unblock]

3. fairly compelling evidence of complicity.

and obstruction

[MUAD_DIB]

9. It just never ends does it? It just keeps getting sadder and sadder for the GOPigs.

[Uncle Joe]

4. They didn't need to investigate,

they already knew the answers, it's just a crying shame they couldn't level with the American People as to who the traitors were.

Kicked and recommended

[Seabiscuit]

5. No one asked the hard questions:

Since Knodell acknowledged that at least during the months between the Novak article and the beginning of Fitzgerald's criminal obligation, his office, both under its head prior to August, and since he became head in August, there was no investigation by his office even though there was a legal obligation to investigate pursuant to executive order, why didn't anyone on the committee ask him:

1. During that specific time frame, during the several months after the leak in Novak's article, and before Fitzgerald began his criminal investigation, why didn't you, as head of your security agency, investigate the leak of Plame's identity as you've already testified you were obligated to do?

2. Who intervened in preventing you from fulfilling your legal obligations in your position as head of the security agency and instructed you NOT to preform the required investigation?

The answer to #2 could only be George W. Bush.

Color me extremely disappointed in the committeemembers' lack of skill.

[TheBaldyMan]

7. Ashcroft was conducting the criminal investigation. A republican congress let him

and finally when the demands grew too loud Fitz was appointed.

Incredible.

[TheBaldyMan]

6. and boy, did he look uncomfortable, the whole committee kept on

asking the same questions with growing disbelief.

You still haven't had any inestigation?

Nobody has had their clearance revoked, even temporarily?

Are you mental?


It was a sight to see. :7

[MUAD_DIB]

8. These guys are so guilty. Criminals to the last.

[diane in sf]

10. As Gomer Pyle would say, "surprise, surprise!"

Of course they didn't investigate--they did it!

[ProudDad]

18. I can't believe it

gambling at Rick's...

Round up the usual suspects!!

[jelly]

11. Can the revelation serve as a basis for impeachment?

I mean, is it an impeachable offense that the Bush administration failed to abide by its obligation to investigate pursuant to the relevant Executive Order?

In any event, to my mind this was the #1 "big story" to emerge from today's hearings.

[stevedeshazer]

12. Rubber, meet road.

The linchpin of this grenade has been pulled.

:hide:

Like toothpaste from an open tube, the sweaty and shaky neocons are running for cover.

[ClintonTyree]

13. That doesn't mean anything.

Just because the White House Director of Security wasn't aware of any investigation doesn't mean there wasn't one. I'm sure George Bush himself conducted a thorough investigation. ;) After all, he SAID he wanted to find out if anyone in his administration leaked this information, and if you can't trust George Bush, who CAN you trust? :sarcasm:

I can just see The Chimp, sneaking around the White House with his magnifying glass, Junior G-Man Detective Kit and his Lancelot Link Secret Chimp Decoder Ring, looking everywhere for clues to solve the crime. Super Sleuth, George Bush! :rofl:



No, no..... Bush was all over this case like white on rice. Not much slips by old George Bush, you know? :rofl:

[ProudDad]

20. I hope he peeked under the bed

where the WMDs weren't...

[MannyGoldstein]

14. Classic Moment

It was a thing to behold - like Beavis and Butthead do the White House: Uh, he-he-heh, uh, oh yeah, like investigate the leaking of secret information and stuff - heh.

[Elidor]

15. Gee, the preznit said two years ago that he would get to the bottom of it

He also said he would fire the person responsible.

More lies.

[WolverineDG]

21. You can't fire yourself n/t

[Lord Balto]

24. Fire Himself?

This is the guy who ran every business enterprise he was ever associated with into the ground. Did he ever resign because he screwed up these corporations?

I'm listening to Malloy at Air America Phoenix/NovaM Radio. He's got the goods on these characters. It's hilarious. He keeps playing the tape of Bush about the "person" being "taken care of" and "I want to know the truth." Jeebus!

[Mr. Ected]

16. Meanwhile, OJ Admits to Reporters

That he never REALLY searched for Nicole's murderer after the trial.

OJ, meet W. W, meet OJ.

[ProudDad]

17. THIS IS SO AWESOME

I fell like I'm back in 1973 and the whole nixon crime spree is coming unraveled.

GOD, I'm enjoying this!!!!!

Wooooo Hooooo

[19jet54]

22. Why would there be?

If you are the one who ordered it ("W"), why is there a need to do an internal investigation? You already know the answer!

SOP Government Tactic - delay, deny, act mad, act frustrated, do little or nothing to buy time... appoint a study group or special investigator and destroy any evidence if it exists; make sure there is no evidence in the first place by only using verbal conversations with no witnesses. (That is why there are laws making wiretapping illegal from City to Federal Government)

Government 101:
It is not criminal, it is the basis for Government Empire building and embedded in our US Code and Administrative manuals.

Were you all born yesterday? :sarcasm: :rofl:

[ManOfTheYear]

23. Wha, Wha, Whaaaaaaaaaa

GW Jr.: I CONFESS, I DID IT!!!! Whaaaaaaaa...My daddy will get me out of this.

GW Sr.: You're on your own Jr.!!!

[kaal]

27. Exactly 19jet54... ! Why would Bush investigate..?

And that seems to be exactly what Waxman is trying to show.

Wow, this site has it all.....


Besides Bush saying he'd look into the matter, I don't remember the White House saying they would start an investigation. It pissed me off at the time and so I'm glad to see Chairman Waxman demanding an explanation for a lack of investigation based on "Executive Order 12958"..... I get the feeling he's been waiting a long long time for this, because he's hit the second nail into the coffin. The first was Libby's conviction, which was purposely drawn out so we can lose sight of the "ball"...... Thank you Waxman...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2769968">www.democraticunderground.com - BREAKING: Waxman Demands WH Explanation for Lack of Investigation into CIA Leak Case!


Immediately after Bush said he'd look into the leak, he consulted his lawyers and they set their position to keep f*head off the hook. The Libby trial was a diversion, which was supposed to end this matter once and for all. Rove should have been indicted and convicted as well! I believe Fitzgerald and the Bush camp made a deal, because an indictment against Rove would have put Bush in the line of fire.... Rove lied just like Libby.


Bush Knew About Leak of CIA Operative's Name
By Staff and Wire Reports
Jun 3, 2004


Witnesses told a federal grand jury President George W. Bush knew about, and took no action to stop, the release of a covert CIA operative's name to a journalist in an attempt to discredit her husband, a critic of administration policy in Iraq.

Their damning testimony has prompted Bush to contact an outside lawyer for legal advice because evidence increasingly points to his involvement in the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame's name to syndicated columnist Robert Novak.

The move suggests the president anticipates being questioned by prosecutors. Sources say grand jury?witnesses?have implicated the President and his top advisor, Karl Rove.
White House spokesmen, however, dismiss the hiring of outside counsel as a routine precaution.

<<snip>>


"It speaks for itself that the president initially claimed he wanted to get to the bottom of this, but now he's suddenly retained a lawyer," said Jano Cabrera, spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. "Bush shouldn't drag the country through grand juries and legal maneuvering. President Bush should come forward with what he knows and come clean with the American people."


Disclosure of an undercover officer's identity can be a federal crime.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4629.shtml

(sorry: nothing at the original link of above article. I wish I save it all)



On the same day the above article was written, Tenet, the Director of the CIA resigned. Tenets crime was to insist on an investigation into the leak from the onset, 9 months earlier.


Bush Administration Is Focus of Inquiry
CIA Agent's Identity Was Leaked to Media

CIA Director George J. Tenet wants to know whether officials in the White House broke federal law.

Sunday, September 28, 2003;


At CIA Director George J. Tenet's request, the Justice Department is looking into an allegation that administration officials leaked the name of an undercover CIA officer to a journalist, government sources said yesterday.

The operative's identity was published in July after her husband, former U.S. ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, publicly challenged President Bush's claim that Iraq had tried to buy "yellowcake" uranium ore from Africa for possible use in nuclear weapons. Bush later backed away from the claim.

http://www.washingtonpost.com

(sorry again: nothing at the original link of the above article)



It's time to get Tenet, Colin Powell and his deputy Richard Armitage back into the picture. The ball is finally rolling again :)


http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/060804_coup_detat.html">COUP D'ETAT:The Real Reason Tenet and Pavitt Resigned from the CIA on June 3rd and 4th