Obama: ‘No Apologies’ For Investigating Leaks Of Classified Information

[ProSense]

Obama: ‘No Apologies’ For Investigating Leaks Of Classified Information

Asked to address the controversial seizure of phone logs from Associated Press journalists by the Department of Justice, President Barack Obama on Thursday said he had no regrets for prosecuting individuals responsible for leaking classified information because they placed the country at risk.

"I make no apologies and I don't think the American people would expect me as commander-in-chief not to be concerned about information that might compromise their missions or might get them killed," he said, standing alongside Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the White House Rose Garden.

"I also think it's important to recognize," he added, "that, you know, when we express concern about leaks at a time when I've still got 60,000 plus troops in Afghanistan and I've still got a whole bunch of intelligence officers around the world who are in risky situations in outposts that in some cases are as dangerous as the outpost in Benghazi, that part of my job is to make sure that we're protecting what they do while still accommodating for the need for information."

The Associated Press and a slew of media organizations filed vehement protests after the Department of Justice revealed it had seized phone records of three AP bureaus in connection to an investigation of an administration leak following a foiled bomb plot in Yemen last year.

- more -

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-no-apologies-for-investigating-leaks-of-classified

[MotherPetrie]

1. The Decider in Chief

[uponit7771]

2. I blame Obama and DOJ for not charging AP with obstruction of justice. What they did was to

...put a CIA agents life in danger for sake of a scoop

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/05/latest-underwear-bomber-was-actually-cia-spy/52080/

They had to relocate the agent and lost valuable intel in the area because of what the AP did...

This is NOT a 1a issue, it's far from it

[Dawson Leery]

3. If this is another Valerie Plame case, it would be hypocritical for Democrats/liberals to

condemn the DOJ's actions on this matter.

[ProSense]

4. People

"If this is another Valerie Plame case, it would be hypocritical for Democrats/liberals to condemn the DOJ's actions on this matter."

...are trying to claim that subpoenaing phone records to find a leaker is worse than targeting and threatening reporters with jail time. The DOJ is conducting a criminal investigation and did not target reporters.

Reporter Says He First Learned of C.I.A. Operative From Rove
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022850304

[Dawson Leery]

5. At this time, that is what it is.

The DOJ is not targeting reporters for prosecution.

[ProSense]

8. Yes, and we'll learn more in time. n/t

[DevonRex]

6. The guy AP outed had saved hundreds of American lives on a Detroit airplane.

He could have saved many more. But AP and their "crack reporter" decided human lives weren't as important as money. Fuck them. Really. Just fuck them.

[msanthrope]

7. When that grand jury comes down, there will be blood. nt