The Political Chase

Senate Questions Mueller on Abuse of National Security Letters

FBI Director Robert Mueller appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, wisely bringing a sense of humility and penitence with him. Mueller rolled out his groveling rug as he attempted to explain why the FBI broke the law to obtain Americans’ email, financial, and phone records.

Mueller attributed the abuse to “mistakes, carelessness, confusion, lack of training, lack of guidance and lack of adequate oversight.” Mueller further attributed the illegal collection of information to “”very lengthy documents . . . with thousands of facts.” The latter doesn’t make sense to me and apparently the Senate panel did not receive it well either - they were in no mood for ambiguity or excuses.

Explaining the abuse of National Security Letters, which easily has effected 3,000 Americans, Mueller said, the FBI’s problems came, at a time of “significant internal transformation and unprecedented worldwide threats.” Mueller added that that wasn’t an excuse but rather “overarching context.”

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) fired back, “”I’m not impressed by your assertion that there are thousands of facts. That’s the FBI agent’s job. . . . And if they’re wrong on the facts, they’re subjecting someone to an invasion of privacy, to a national security letter or to a search warrant that ought not to be issued.”

Being repentant and seeking absolution, Mueller confessed:

• The inspector general’s report was “fair, effective, and appropriate.”
• “We at the FBI fell short in our obligations to report to Congress.”
• “I am responsible for those shortcomings.”

Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) warmly received Mueller’s approach, “which, seems to be a break from many in this administration now.”

Since the FBI is closely connected to the U.S. attorneys, the Committee, especially Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), questioned Mueller about his knowledge and opinions on the recent purge of eight attorneys. Mueller respectfully deferred to the Attorney General and the Justice Department.

Source: McClatchiy Washington Bureau | 03/27/2007 | FBI didn’t mean to break the law, Mueller says