Isn't authorizing the leak of classified info still illegal?

[jsamuel]

Whether or not it was Plame or intel on Iraq?

Plus, doesn't this just confirm that the Bush admin was "selectively" managing the propaganda and media by only letting us know certain things?

[Beelzebud]

1. Not unless our Unitary Executive made it legal.

[tuvor]

2. Whateva, whateva

I do what I want!

[gordianot]

3. Good question, but has a President done this any time in American History?

Lies, deceptions, yes but outing a American Intelligence asset?

[tandot]

4. not illegal in a dictatorship and if the dictator himself authorizes it.

[DanCa]

5. Not if your a rethug they have their own rules. (nt)

[salin]

6. it depends on the definition of "leak".

hehe kills me that this is what it is coming down to... self-imposed parody of the impeachment case against clinton. Obstruction of Justice... and 'depends on the definition of the word leak'.

[clmbohdem]

7. No, but it is illeagl to defraud the government

With Bush/Chenny impicated, this now looks like a conspiracy to defraud the government so they would go to war.

[Ladyhawk]

8. Sigh...I have a feeling $hrubCo will weasel out of this one.

I wonder what others think?

As long as the Congress, Judiciary and media are on *'s side, we'll get nowhere. :( :(

[theDash]

9. Maybe not

President may be able to legally declassify info, but it should at least be treason to out an agent. I'm sure they will claim, as has been suggested in most of the news reports, that they did not authorize the release of info specifically regarding Plame. That may save them from being charged with anything illegal.

I have a feeling that this may not go anywhere in terms of impeachment or anything like that. But at the very least, this proves that * is a liar. The media and everyone needs to at least point out that fact. They need to run his quotes and Snotty's quotes regarding this, and ask if the pResident is going to fire himself. This would be great campaign material as well. This will be his "I did not have sex with that woman ..." quote, and the media needs to show it over and over like they did with Clinton.

I think most people will see just how much more serious of a lie that this is, when compared to covering up an affair. This has national security implications. They were willing to release sensitive info for political gain, which is so ironic given that they are so secretive and won't even release material to congress on grounds that it might jeopardize national security.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi theDash!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[htuttle]

15. The President can only declassify information that he classified

...or more specifically, information that was originally classified by the Executive Branch (ie., by any President).

The identity of CIA agents was classified by Congressional statute, hence, cannot be declassified by the President.

[incapsulated]

14. To me, this is more about perception than a legal case

This is still third-hand hearsay from an indicted man, and that is what the repukes will repeat over and over. But. This will confirm a lot of suspicions that people have lurking in their minds and push some fence sitters over the edge. It's just one more nasty hit on the branches as the Chimp falls down, down, down off of the top of his tree.

[Fredda Weinberg]

11. Disclosing a covert agent is, classification is an exec function n/t

[Guaranteed]

12. It is when the authorization directly results in the outing of a CIA

agent.

[philosophie_en_rose]

13. De-classifying = ok; Authorizing Leak of Classified Info = not okay

I'm not an expert, but it seems that declassifying information is not the same thing as authorizing the publication of classified information.

[Dr Fate]

16. Anyway you look at it-lying about it is an impeachable offense.

Bush lied when he said he knew nothing about this.

previous precedent dictates that lying is impeachable.

[skip fox]

17. IF he authorized the leak and that is seen as legal and if he didn't

mislead the investigation, he still has to answer WHY he authorized the leak! And he has to answer how his authorization was not political but was part of the people's business.

How will they spin this???