White House Obstructing Plame Investigation

The Bush Administration is actively blocking Congress' investigation into the outing of once-covert CIA agent Valerie Plame, according to House Oversight Committee chairman Henry Waxman.

In a letter sent today to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Waxman notes that "White House objections are preventing Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald from disclosing key information to investigating officials." Among the documents being withheld are interviews taken from White House officers during Fitzgerald's investigation into the leak of Plame's identity.

"Over the summer, Mr. Fitzgerald agreed to provide relevant documents to the Committee, including records of interviews with senior White House officials. Unfortunately, the White House has been blocking Mr. Fitzgerald from providing key documents to the Committee," Waxman writes to newly appointed Mukasey. "I ask that you personally look into this matter and authorize the production of the documents to the Committee without any further delay."

Waxman's letter provides one of the first tests for Mukasey, who stressed during his confirmation hearings that he would operate independently from White House directive. The letter also provides greater insight into the extent of collaboration between Fitzgerald and the oversight committee.

Read the full letter here. Emptywheel has more here.

Comments

[sagopalm]

It continues to amaze me that people enjoy their hatred of the Clintons so much. They use that to block out how truly discpicable the bush family and its legion of criminals are.
So the answer to holidaze07's question is yes. I for one am extremely angry that bush gets whatever he wants and that the dems just lie down and play dead for him. But change (for the better) is assuredly not coming from the republican party. Now or ever. I can only hope it does from the dems.

[aristippe]

I'm kinda confused, I though Dick Armitage admitted that he spilled the beans. What else is there to know?

[bija]

I am so angry with the corruption of this government! I had hoped a Democratic majority in Congress would bring some oversight and investigations and ultimately, some justice but Congress doesn't seem to want to do too much.

[pigsatthetrough]

Treason is only one aspect. The other is who could comment on what Iran really has. That person is non status now and the edited blacked out parts of her book is beyond foolish. Anyone who thinks these repugnants don't know how to play the game is living in la la land.

[JaneC]

I'm running out of hope that we'll ever be able to stop flying our flag out front upside-down again.

America in Distress.

[robertlockwoodmills]

Does it need to be asked again? If Valerie Plame is the self-interest faux heroine the trolls claim, and if Joe Wilson is a liar and a phony as they claim, then shouldn't the White House be cooperating with Waxman? Wouldn't a full examination of all the e-mails and all the interviews expose this couple as frauds?

Let's all take truth serum, folks. Valerie Plame was an undercover C.I.A. agent at one point in her career, working on Iran's nuclear program. When her cover was blown, she was working at a desk...but she was still a C.I.A. employee whose earlier work, and the work of hundreds of undercover colleagues, was exposed. If outing Valerie Plame isn't a crime, nothing is a crime. And if covering up what happened isn't a crime, nothing is.

[fourex]

The right wing talking point that GW Bush didn't lie to Scotty McClellan has been blown to bits as Bush further obstructs justice in the Plame case.

[daemon]

There is still HOPE

Do not despair.

The ASLPs

Sun is

Rising

A
S
L
P
!

Its the one my sexy red tail kinks for!

[daemon]

America Rocks

Give me ...U

Give me an S

Give me an A

Whats that spell?????

Torture

Treason

War crimes


YAY

USA USA USA

Rocks like Hell!!!

[sgtjiggs]

The Unimpeachables

A Quinn Martin Production

Starring George Bush & Dick Cheney

Tonight on FOX!

[rwe]

gotta say , this is only a huffhose way for the deskjockey to get a few more blogs on the left side to get her book sales into the triple digits. It would be better if Waxjob would ask for the Clinton papers..OH but then that would be something of substance.

[EyeWantOneNation]

OKAY, Bloggers...LET'S GO!!!!

I've been busy today, calling this one, googling that one! Here's what I need to share with you:

The resolution to impeach Cheney (HR 333) has been forwarded to The Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - Chaired by the Hon.Jerrold Nadler. This Subcommittee has 8 Democrats, and 5 Republicans: and oddly enough, one of those Democrats is John Conyers Jr.
Phone number for Hon. Jerrold Nadler in DC is: 202-225-5635

After the Subcommittee reviews and rules on resolution, it goes to House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by John Conyers Jr. And...Jerrold Nadler also sits on House Judiciary Committee!!!
John Conyers Jr. phone number in DC is 202-225-5126.

Email form for Judiciary members is the same for all; send one form to Nadler and INSIST they put HR 333 on the calender IMMEDIATELY;and send bill to House Judiciary Committee.
Send separate email to Conyers and tell him you want HR 333 to go through Subcommittee now - and he needs to put on House Judiciary calendar as soon as possible.
email form found at:
http://judiciary.house.gov/Contact.aspx

For interesting bio on Conyers, google him - quite a maverick - Moveon.orgrg - etc.
We GOTTA get him to move on this!!!

Thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Turnip]

Try 'em.

Fry 'em.

Watch the other Repiggies deny 'em.

[rblackbird]

During his last days in office, Bush will pardon himself, Cheney, and all the other characters who have served in his administration. Holding onto the records until then prohibits the commencement of any criminal proceedings. Once the truth comes out after he leaves, the truth will have no impact other than revulsion.

Oh, I forgot...Bush will also pardon his wife and his dog.

[Blutus]

Amazing. Thought the White House
said this whole deal
was no big deal.

Why obstruct when nothing happened??

How strange...........