Bush official: Congress was briefed

Posted: Monday, July 13, 2009 10:02 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Security

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell

A former senior White House official involved in counterterrorism programs tells NBC News that the presidential "finding" -- the order -- to go after Al Qaeda after 9/11 was briefed to Congress, but that Congress was kept in the dark about the implementation of the order.

Why not? The Bush administration official said "they didn't ask" -- but other officials say that CIA Director Leon Panetta was told the agency was following instructions from former Vice President Cheney not to disclose the program.

Video: Agency director Leon Panetta ended the project, but that’s done little to stem the outrage of lawmakers kept in the dark at the urging of then Vice President Dick Cheney. NBC’s Mike Viqueira reports.

Democrats and some Senate Republicans on the intelligence committee say that even if the program was "on-again, off again" and not fully operational, Congress should have been briefed. That is also the view of the CIA officials who briefed Panetta on June 23rd. Panetta followed their recommendation and immediately notified Congress.

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Comments

Any time you brief the likes of Turbin Durbin and Motor-Mouth Schumer on anything, it's in front of those two idiots eyes today, and it's in the NY Times tomorrow. These two so called "men" are the most pathetic of many pathetic Senators we've ever had.

Chelse J., Chicago IL (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:09 AM)

OUR GOVERNMENT HAS A-L-W-A-Y-S ENGAGED IN SECRET ACTIVITIES --- STOP ACTING LIKE THAT IS SOMETHING NEW UNDER BUSH.

"WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND" --- DEMS BETTER NOT FORGET THAT!

DEMS DON'T FORGET: WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND--- (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:11 AM)

I loved Sen. Cornyn's response to this. He tried to say that this was just an Democratic attempt to distract from Pelosi saying the CIA lied. So, in other words, the story that the CIA lied (which they did) and VP Cheney instructed them to conceal things from Congress is just a cover to distract from Pelosi telling the truth.

Yeah, that makes sense. <sarcasm>

Matthew, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:11 AM)

They do whatever it takes to try to clear Pelosi, don't they? Even charging our CIA is crooked.

Hey, Nancy, just tell the truth for once is your pathetic little life. It's not like your Mother Theresa. Tell the truth, babe. Go to confession.

Monkberry Moon (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:13 AM)

More Didn't Ask Didn't Tell lies from another criminal of the bushwhacker's lawless cabal. So who was this high ranking former White House official or didn't he want his name bandied about. Like we can trust this annonymous source. If Tyrant Cheney ordered the CIA to not disclose this secret program to Congress then it's time to have a special prosector investigate and prosecute Criminal Cheney to the fullest extent of the law. It wasn't the CIA who was at fault it was Cluess George and his lawbreaking cabal who must be held to account for their nefarious secretive perfidy.

Just imagine the brouhaha if President Obama kept secrets from Congress. The repugnant ones would be screaming bloody murder about it so now it's time for the Democrats to scream bloody murder and get after investigating and prosecuting the few bad apples that used to haunt the White House.

Prosecute War Criminals Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:13 AM)

FR: and some Senate Republicans on the intelligence committee say that even if the program was "on-again, off again" and not fully operational, Congress should have been briefed.

Rather then these pompous Senators yacking it up on Sunday morning talk shows and spending over half their time fundraising, maybe, just maybe, they should actually do their jobs. These goofs always play the victim on these things. Why don't they, god forbid, spend an evening,or even a weekend at work, researching what's going on and actually do some oversight on things they are supposed have oversight over! No, that's too hard. It's easier to sit around, complain, and point fingers.

Jack Marshall, Ohio (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:14 AM)

How do you brief someone on a program that is just a proposal? What, does congress want a seat at the table for every administration discussion?

Conner Wright, Indiana (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:16 AM)

Are members of congress REALLY going to try to sell the American people on the idea that they were kept in the dark about a program to go after Al Queda? Really?

Cue the Dick Cheney speeches. Obama has not learned that, the last time, Cheney made him look like the naive, head in the clouds idealist he is, and caused more and more people to question his judgment and abilities as commander in chief.

If the Democrats in congress actually pursue this, they will give new meaning to 'The fool(s) on the hill".

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:16 AM)

Most Americans support the Constitution, believe that we are a nation of laws, and no one, even the President is above the law. Generally conservatives (and progressives) hold our civil liberties sacred. It amazes me that Republican politics are willing to trump the liberties that have made this country great. If investigation reveals Bush/Cheney violated our laws, they should be punished.

This is not about Pelosi. This is about decisions made in the White House after 9/11 and the laws that were violated.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:20 AM)

So more lies out of the Bush Administration keep coming. The gift that keeps giving by reminding us why we voted for Obama in the first place.

Panetta is going to clean things up at the CIA and restore the integrity they once had. We want them reliable, and acting within the law.

It seems increasingly more evident that Cheney and his puppet Bush trashed the Constitution when it was convenient to do so and it usually was in most cases.

If Holder calls for a special prosecuter I believe what we know now will show to be only the tip of the ice berg in the corruption and lies in the Bush Administration.

No one expects perfection in an Administration. We expect a little "bending" of laws when necessary but down right breaking one after another, well, that's going too far.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:21 AM)

So now the democrats have canceled a program to kill of capture AQ's leadership? Guess it's a good thing they renamed the war on terror after Obama promised to kill or capture UBL and bring it [the war on terror] to an end. Of course al these leaks are based on unnamed CIA officials who the great Nasty Peslosi has told us lies to the American people on a regular basis.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:22 AM)

Dick Cheney - was a rogue dictator and he should be placed on trail for treason.

He is not above the law and if nothing is done to him, then we have failed as a Democracy.

No one in our country is above the LAW - the past administration - seems to have broken or altered many laws and many lives were ruined because of it.

They must at least be placed on trail and giving the chance to defend the charges - not totally set freed to roam the world at ease and at will; after all they have done.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:24 AM)

Cheney was all over the talk shows a few weeks ago, and now he can't be reached for comment. I suppose he is in a bunker at a undisclosed location. How convienent.

MAC, in OK (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:26 AM)

The only thing missing from Senator Session's attire today is his pointy WHITE Hood!

Looks like the party of stale male & pale could use one of their 'little blue pills'...

With the way they've come out swinging it's going to be hard for them to keep it up for a week!

And to Lindsey Graham... why don't you hold your breath until you get the apology you've demanded ;0)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:28 AM)

Time for the Obama admin to stop looknig backwards and start helping this country. Nevada is hurting and Obama is busy traveling to Africa and blaming Bush. Time to step up Barack!!!

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:28 AM)

Looks like the dems are bailing on health care. Instead, they want to investigate Bush. That will really help our country. The Dems are just as bad as the repubs. Full of empty promises. Nice try Obama.

Feisty Redhead, Roswell ,IL (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:31 AM)

This is the question that comes to my mind when I read stories about this situation: Did dick cheney keep intel information away from congress in order to keep them in the dark about the need to go to war with Iraq thereby keeping the Senators flushing money for an illegal war that personally benefited the es vice president by millions and millions of dollars?

That's what I want to know. I suppose the ol'adage "Follow the money" most appropriate here.

Holder - hold them accountable (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:32 AM)

Is someone at MSNBC going to interview Sy Hersh today? How about Hersh and Cheney on Meet the Press on Sunday?

pragpro (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:33 AM)

As a middle aged woman myself, I must say, Andrea Mitchell is looking great these days. And those shots of her on the boat in Alaska were pretty funny.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:34 AM)

>>>The Bush administration official said "they didn't ask" -- but other officials say that CIA Director Leon Panetta was told the agency was following instructions from former Vice President Cheney not to disclose the program.
==========
The frantic CYA going on here pretty much confirms the shady dealings of the prior administration. I wonder if we'll ever find out just how deep this goes.

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:35 AM)

This just gets stranger by the hour. Guess we can conclude that whatever this program was, it had to do with going after Al Qaeda--duh? I'm going to have to find the book and the section that discussed a very in-depth, controversial CIA program that some wanted to pursue but it was never implemented. My brain is not focusing on the substance this moment but I do recall that the concept of it was enough to make my hair stand on end. Sometimes it is best we don't know but Congress must be briefed to keep the CIA from going overboard in their zest for action.

Ron, as always good post this morning. Enjoy your time away.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:36 AM)

If Congress had been given a brief on the CIA program, would they even have read it? Congress is "kept in the dark" on most of the bills they vote on.

S. Hoyer, DC (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:45 AM)

WE ARE NO LONGER A "NATION OF LAWS" Monday, July 13, 2009 10:08 AM)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks to George Bush & Dick Cheney, that is. They tried every way they could to circumvent the constitution, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Bush's administration brought this country to the brink of losing its soul due to its disdain for the laws and moral positions we've held since America was founded. Geneva Conventions? Who needs 'em? Bush mocked them. Cheney ignored them.

President Obama, in one of his first acts of office, signed an executive order restoring our adherence to these Conventions, to the U.S. Army Manual, and to the 8th Amendment. Sixteen military officials stood with him. They know firsthand how dangerous it is for our country when our bedrock values and principles are trampled on.

Don't even go there, "We are...". You are wrong and horribly misinformed.

Bethie in Texas (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:47 AM)

I'm sure that everything was legal and ethical
So, Republicans SHOULD NOT MIND an investigation
It will clear the Bush regime of any wrong doing

RIGHT ??

They didn't commit any WAR CRIMES, did they ?

It turns out the Bush and Cheney were the 'evildoesrs'
The best way to prevent these crimes from recurring is to expose them

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO ??

(Rock me, Sexy Jesus)

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:47 AM)

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell

A former senior White House official involved in counterterrorism programs tells NBC News that the presidential "finding" -- the order -- to go after Al Qaeda after 9/11 was briefed to Congress, but that Congress was kept in the dark about the implementation of the order.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

If Congress was suppose to have "ALL" intelligence briefings and received selected ones, then they were "KEPT IN THE DARK". Regardless, anything that has to do with "INTELLIGENCE", isn't Congress suppose to be briefed?

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 10:48 AM)

I can't wait until the chickenhawks start complaining about excessive government powers to spy on and accuse any American of being a traitor...they geefully trashed the constitution to give cheney all that power and no doubt someday we will see fine republcians making the media perp walk too...tough luck chickehawks

Rick, NC (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:01 AM)

WE ARE NO LONGER A 'NATION OF LAWS: '...OBAMA & SOTOMAYOR === WE ARE NO LONGER A 'NATION OF LAWS.'

WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PATH THAT LEAD UP TO WORLD WAR TWO --- USING THE JUDICIARY TO PUT A 'STAMP OF APPROVAL' ON A GOVERNMENT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS.

HISTORY DOES REPEAT!...'

Right !!
Just like before WWII when the Germans elected their 'Decider' and used the phoney 'Reichtab Fire' as an excuse to go to war

Hitler falsely claimed tha Poland had 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' and invaded

The Germans later set up concentration camps at Abu Ghraib and Guantanemo and used phony 'show trials' to convict the innocent

Air Marchal von Cheney lead the attack against Russia

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:08 AM)

We all knew about the water boarding in 2002 and if truth be told we ALL knew that it was being used, and for any one - especially people deeply involved in media or politics to say they couldn't put two and two together and say "hay this (hypothetical situation) is wrong" is lying. Back then so soon after 9/11 we were all scared and angry and quite honestly most of us were in favor of a little bit of rough treatment if it meant that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. However strong, morally courageous leadership should have played by the rule of law. They didn't and there is no excuse.

dale NYC (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:09 AM)

and yet they don't have time to fix the budget... Congress is like a bunch of Frat brothers worried about the next kegger while flunking out of college...

Fed Up, Georgia (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:14 AM)

It's time to book a hearing room. Way PAST time in fact. Just make sure the hearings don't prevent effective prosecution of lawbreakers as happened in the Iran-Contra hearings.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:20 AM)

And has anybody mentioned the fact that Congress was made up a majority of Loyal Republicans, so the lying was done to them as well? While they were following their leaders, the VP & the President faithfully, they were being lied to and cheated on! Now they say the Dems are being over reactive? I guess they don't mind being lied to. The other fact that is being forgotten is that Congress represents the People of this Country (as well as the President & VP). They work for us, so if they are not informed, they cannot make educated, balanced decisions on important issues such as war, the ecomomy, the environment, and healthcare. The CIA/FBI are also workers for the people of this Country. Let us not forget who the lies and cover ups really affect!

shannon (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:23 AM)

To all of you Republicans out there -- I agree with the President NOT to look backwards. There is too much going on currently to worry about. My opinion is...most Elections are won and lost on the Economy. This should be the ultimate focus by this President right now, and bringing back the jobs.

Barbara - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Monday, July 13, 2009 11:58 AM)

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