CIA flap: Mukasey's 'first real test.'

CIA flap: Mukasey's 'first real test.'

by James Oliphant

Even as Central Intelligence Agency director Gen. Michael Hayden is dragged before the Senate Intelligence Committee this afternoon to explain the destruction of tapes relating to interrogation of terror suspects, Democratic lawmakers are stepping up calls for answers – and not just from the CIA.

This morning, Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Atty. Gen. Michael Mukasey asking him to detail his department’s involvement in the matter. Leahy and Specter want to know when Justice Department officials were told of the existence of the tapes and whether they gave an opinion on the legality of destroying them.

Mukasey stated over the weekend that Justice would launch a preliminary inquiry into the matter, but the senators said notwithstanding that probe, “we request a complete account of the Justice Department’s own knowledge of and involvement with these matters.”

Sen. Dick Durbin, another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an interview Friday: “This is the first real test of Atty. Gen. Mukasey.”

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http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/cia_flap_mukaseys_first_real_t.html

There was also perjury in court from the Administration denying the tapes existed, this in terror trials dealing with torture issues.

What happen in Mukasey's court, when he made his rulings? Were his decisions founded on false information?

The "preliminary" is easy to understand in this context. This may be destined for "independent prosecution" very soon.

In the meantime, we have an either or situation politically.

Either the Dems were complicit -
or
this is the reason they didn't pursue impeachment - that pressing crimes would be revealed?

If hte four were bound by secrecy - does that include their fellow Congresspeople?

Keep the legal stuff coming.

I hope Fein, Holtzman and a bunch of others are busy.

of evidence...

Mukasey probably would not be AG without Schumer's support. Well, Schumer's and that other DINO Feinsten.

Betcha neither of these worthless senators thought a showdown would come this soon.