home

President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action'

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Mon Jul 11, 2005 at 06:56:31 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

President Bush gave a press conference on October 6, 2003. In it he was asked about the Valerie Plame leak. He called it a "criminal action." Here were his comments (from CNN, available on Lexis.com.)

QUESTION: Mr. President, on another issue, the CIA Leakgate, what is your confidence level in the results of the DOJ investigation about any of your staffers not being found guilty or being found guilty? And what do you say to critics of the administration who say that this administration retaliates against naysayers?

BUSH: Now, well, first of all, I'm glad you brought that question up. This is a very serious matter. And our administration takes it seriously. As members of the press corps here know, I have, at times, complained about leaks of security information, whether the leaks be in the legislative branch or in the executive branch, and I take those leaks very seriously. And therefore, we will cooperate fully with the Justice Department.

I've got all the confidence in the world the Justice Department will be do a good, thorough job. And that's exactly what I want them to do is a good, thorough job. I'd like to know who leaked. And if anybody's got any information inside our government or outside our government who leaked, you ought to take it to the Justice Department, so we can find out the leaker.

I have told my staff, I want full cooperation with the Justice Department. And when they ask for information, we expect the information to be delivered on a timely basis. I expect it to be delivered on a timely basis. I want there to be full participation, because I am most interested in finding out the truth.

And, you know, there's a lot of leaking in Washington, D.C. It's a town famous for it.

BUSH: And if this helps stop leaks, this investigation in finding the truth, it'll not only hold someone to account who should not have leaked -- and this is a serious charge, by the way. We're talking about a criminal action. But also hopefully we'll help send a clear signal we expect other leaks to stop as well. (my emphasis)

And so I look forward to finding the truth.

< Don't call Rove at the Congressional Hearings | Federal Prisons Get Lethal Stun Fences >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action' | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:06 PM EST
    Methinks Pinnochio's nose doth grow and grow and grow. Either that or he's infinitely more dumb and kept in the dark than we imagined. I'd guess a combination of both.

    Re: President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action (none / 0) (#2)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:06 PM EST
    Bush need prison, in fact prison will help bush a-lot. I say Bush\prison is the way to go. by the way the cops in the third world city called L.A.. Just kill one more little kid, and as you know the head guy on the third world political dept, said it was the fathers fault amd the father had a gun so as the cops and bush would say we have some lies to tell you fools. lies, death, war, all part of our government, sad world, and the fun is just starting.

    Re: President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:06 PM EST
    Check out comments about Karl Rove's shameless act at The Investor's Blog. The link is, White House credibility in question once again

    Re: President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action (none / 0) (#4)
    by john horse on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:06 PM EST
    Joseph Wilson's prediction that Rove would be frogmarched out of the White House in handcuffs may very well turn out to be true.

    Re: President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:06 PM EST
    I sense an "if, and, or but" coming. The word of a politician and $2 will get you on the subway.

    President Bush Called Leak 'A Criminal Action' | 5 comments (5 topical)