The Political Chase

White House Blocks Prosecutor in CIA Leak Case

(Update below)

The White House is blocking efforts by Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald and Congress to continue investigating the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson. Furthermore, the Washington Post gives the appearance it is trying to help the White House by reporting misleading information and keeping the matter as low-key as possible.

The case, commonly known as the “CIA leak case” or “Plamegate,” led to the conviction of Dick Cheney’s former Chief of Staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby for obstruction of justice and perjury in February. President Bush graciously did himself, Dick Cheney and many others a tremendous favor and commuted Libby’s 36-month prison sentence, which created a major obstacle for future related investigations. But if commuting sentences are not enough to thwart Fitzgerald’s and Congress’s investigations, the Above Suspicion President can simply obstruct justice and the Washington Post will gladly assist by keeping it as far away from the public as possible.

Although President Bush’s highly controversial commutation of Libby’s sentence was problematic for future investigations, Fitzgerald never formally ended his investigation. Instead, Fitzgerald began working cooperatively with Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in July of this year – within days of Bush giving Libby his get-out-of-jail-free card.

Amongst other documents, Waxman is seeking transcripts of Fitzgerald’s interviews of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, but the White House refuses to allow Fitzgerald to give them to the Committee. These are particularly important considering the recent revelations that the president, vice president et al. told Scott McLellan to lie about the White House’s role in outing Valerie Wilson.

The Washington Post obviously considers the Above Suspicion President and the Above the Law Vice President blocking a special prosecutor’s and Congressional investigation about as newsworthy as an obituary. In an obscure article published on page A-27, the Post misleads its readers (those that may have stumbled upon it) by stating the investigation was completed.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) is asking new Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey to release transcripts of interviews of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and other senior officials from the now-completed CIA leak investigation.

Waxman, who has been investigating the nature of the revelation of former CIA analyst Valerie Plame Wilson’s identity in the summer of 2003, asked Mukasey in a letter released on Monday to intervene in his dispute with the White House, saying that Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald has already turned over notes and transcripts of non-grand-jury interviews with CIA and State Department officials.

But, Waxman said, Fitzgerald has been blocked by the White House from releasing the documents.

The point the Post obviously tries to make is Waxman is on a witch-hunt — he’s rehashing an investigation that has already been thoroughly covered and long since closed. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Moreover, Bush has absolutely no legal basis whatsoever to block the transcripts. Patrick Fitzgerald’s interview with the Above Suspicion President and Above the Law Vice President was part of a criminal investigation. The two crooks have repeatedly said Executive Privilege is based on the necessary candor and confidentiality between the President and those giving him advice. Fitzgerald wasn’t acting as their consultant or adviser, he was investigating treason.

When Richard Nixon refused to turnover the White House tapes did the Washington Post report it in a 218-word article buried on page A-27? And did they incorrectly state the facts to make Sen. Sam Ervin appear to be on a witch-hunt? Obviously the Post would rather serve as the president’s water-carrier than perform its duties as part of the Fourth Estate. Unfortunately, we expect nothing more from George Bush and Dick Cheney than obstructing justice and committing countless other felonies.

Update: Upon Libby’s commutation, Patrick Fitzgerald specifically stated he would continue working the case.

Although the President’s decision eliminates Mr. Libby’s sentence of imprisonment, Mr. Libby remains convicted by a jury of serious felonies, and we will continue to seek to preserve those convictions through the appeals process.

Additionally, the special Web site Fitzgerald set up for the CIA leak case continues to operate. That’s not necessarily compelling evidence, but the absence of the site would be.