ACLU Slams DOJ Investigation of NSA Whistleblower, Says Government Must Independently Investigate Violation of Wiretap Laws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media@aclu.org

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today sharply criticized a Justice Department investigation into the disclosure of an illegal National Security Agency domestic eavesdropping operation approved by President George W. Bush.

In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as well as two full-page advertisements in the New York Times, the ACLU has called for the appointment of a special counsel to determine whether President Bush violated federal wiretapping laws by authorizing illegal surveillance of domestic targets.

The following statement can be attributed to ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero:

“President Bush broke the law and lied to the American people when he unilaterally authorized secret wiretaps of U.S. citizens. But rather than focus on this constitutional crisis, Attorney General Gonzales is cracking down on critics of his friend and boss. Our nation is strengthened, not weakened, by those whistleblowers who are courageous enough to speak out on violations of the law.”

“To avoid further charges of cronyism, Attorney General Gonzales should call off the investigation. Better yet, Mr. Gonzales ought to fulfill his own oath of office and appoint a special counsel to determine whether federal laws were violated.”

The ACLU’s December 29 advertisement is online at:
/safefree/spying/23271res20051229.html

The ACLU’s December 22 advertisement is online at:
/safefree/spying/23203res20051222.html

The ACLU’s December 21 letter to Attorney General Gonzales is online at:
/safefree/general/23184leg20051221.html

The ACLU’s December 20 Freedom of Information Act request seeking information about the NSA’s program of warrantless spying on Americans is online at:
/safefree/spying/23150prs20051220.html