Leahy: Missing White House Emails Found, But Still Witheld From Congress
Leahy: Missing White House Emails Found, But Still Witheld From Congress
In April, the White House claimed that “it had mishandled Republican Party-sponsored e-mail accounts used by nearly two dozen presidential aides, resulting in the loss of an undetermined number of e-mails concerning official White House business.” They also acknowledged that some of the “missing” emails may be related to the U.S. attorney scandal.
In an impassioned speech, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said at the time that the White House was lying and the emails could be recovered:
“They say they have not been preserved. I don’t believe that!” Leahy shouted from the Senate floor. “You can’t erase e-mails, not today. They’ve gone through too many servers. Those e-mails are there, they just don’t want to produce them. We’ll subpoena them if necessary.”
“Like the famous 18-minute gap in the Nixon White House tapes, it appears likely that key documentation has been erased or misplaced. This sounds like the Administration’s version of ‘the dog ate my homework.’”
Today, during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Leahy revealed that the White House does indeed have the emails, but has yet to turn them over to Congress:
The White House stonewalling the congressional investigative committees continues this pattern of confrontation over cooperation. We all remember when they first announced to us that significant e- mails that we wanted had been destroyed. They’d been lost. I stated on the floor of the Senate that it’s relatively easy to find those lost e-mails. This brought another blast from the White House, saying that I obviously had no understanding of how the Internet works and of course that couldn’t be done.
To their credit, the White House has now told me they — well, yes indeed, I was right; they were wrong. The e-mails are found. They were there in a backup system, although they have yet to give them.
Now that their claim of “lost” emails has been proven false, the White House must turn them over to Congress. Claims of executive privilege are not sufficient to deny these emails to congressional investigators as the use of “Republican Party-sponsored” email addresses significantly undermines any claims to such privilege.
Update: Here’s video of Leahy on the Senate floor yesterday, saying how the White House’s disappearing, reappearing emails underscore the need for subpoenas:
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So, they have them. Well, go fu(king get them. How goddamn difficult can issuing a subpoena be? Do it. NOW.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:27 pmNOW.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:28 pmunbridled power and hubris.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:28 pmImmagine that…..
The WH was wrong about something……
GASP!!!! I am actually shocked…. This has to be a FIRST!!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:32 pmdamn the internets and all those tubes!!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:32 pmI think it’s “cryin’ time” for Team Bush!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:32 pmYou’d better hurry up and get them NOW! They have had waaaayyyy too much time to cover up their tracks.
Hey Leahy, remember, “EVERY THING THEY SAY IS A LIE !!!!”
When anyone in this administration opens their mouths, IT IS A LIE.
Everything this administration does is a crime.
Go after them with everything you’ve got, cause they are slippery devils being lead by the Children of Satan.
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, Trolls bad
June 14th, 2007 at 12:34 pmWhere are the supporters of these lying sacks of crap?
June 14th, 2007 at 12:34 pmheh…heh….does Team Bush really believe that the americans are that stupid?
June 14th, 2007 at 12:35 pmheh…heh….does Team Bush really believe that the americans are that stupid?
Comment by veritas — June 14, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Yep!
Stupid and lazy
June 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pmHurry, before Cheney’s batteries run out!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:39 pmGet the torches and pitchforks there’s a nasty monster in our whitehouse trying to destroy our nation.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:41 pmheh…heh….does Team Bush really believe that the americans are that stupid?
Comment by veritas — June 14, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Yes – because we are!
Over 50% of Americans still believe that Iraq had something to do with 911 and almost 2/3 of Americans believe that the Earth and man are anywhere from 6 to 10 thousand years old… collectively we are idiots!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:42 pmTo any Leahy staffer reading this:
Can you please, please, PLEASE contact the ISPs that run the servers where the RNC/gwb43.com email is stored? Get the data from them directly! (Smarttech and their backup at Coptix, I believe.) Why rely on the loyal Bushies for anything?
June 14th, 2007 at 12:43 pmThe Sergeant-At-Arms should be sent over the WH to pick up the emails.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:43 pm“I’m not a crook!”
Richard M. Nixon
Compared to you successors, Dicky, you’re little more than a shoplifter….
June 14th, 2007 at 12:43 pmJust get them from Greg Palast (you know, all those emails from Karl Rove that were accidently sent to Palast).
This is a really interesting video which should be viewed by every American in order to understand what this entire USA purge was about and where the illegality comes in to play.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:45 pmhttp://video.google.com/ videoplay?docid=3954858769441262005
What do you bet the missing emails will all be something like this:
June 14th, 2007 at 12:48 pmCompared to you successors, Dicky, you’re little more than a shoplifter….
Comment by heyzeus — June 14, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
More like a jaywalker.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:48 pmWhat’s surprising in not that the White House lied; what’s surprising is that they finally admitted that they had the emails.
Now GO GET THEM.
Subpoena. Send over some wiseguys. Do some f*ckin’ thing.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:48 pmFolks, the MSM is barely covering this story and what coverage they do give it is slanted to minimize the illegality of the GOP behavior. The American people are not being told by their newspapers and television talking heads to care about this story, so most of them don’t.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:49 pmNOTHING will change until the progressives start physically protesting the major networks news outlets for TRULY FAIR AND BALANCED COVERAGE!
Until then, your democracy fails daily.
I am just so worn out by it all. I’m sort of numb now.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:52 pmGo get them NOW.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:54 pmHuh. Wonder where KKKarl kept them hidden, does it seem to anyone else he’s lost a little weight?
June 14th, 2007 at 12:54 pmFolks, the MSM is barely covering this story and what coverage they do give it is slanted to minimize the illegality of the GOP behavior. The American people are not being told by their newspapers and television talking heads to care about this story, so most of them don’t.
NOTHING will change until the progressives start physically protesting the major networks news outlets for TRULY FAIR AND BALANCED COVERAGE!
Until then, your democracy fails daily.
Comment by Shirley — June 14, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
I couldn’t agree more Shirley, you hit the nail squarely on the head.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:56 pmWhat is the MSM supposed to say? What are they supposed to be looking for? Cooking recipies? Who in the administration is sleeping with who? Total freaking joke folks. Conspiracy this and conspiracy that. Your worried about e-mails when the democrats that YOU elected to congress FAILED TO STOP THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have blood on their hands now and everyone here who voted for them now has blood on theirs as well. And your looking for e-mails????????????
June 14th, 2007 at 12:58 pmHmm, something wrong with headline.
Leahy didn’t say they were found, just that they couldn’t have been lost.
Is there a difference? I dunno, but the headline is misleading TP.
Now, that that’s settled, the LyingBastardometer slipped a framoid this morning when this story was received. Repairs are underway, but parts must be procured from Albania.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:03 pmJum, that strawman can’t dance. Our government is supposed to be separate, co-equal branches but there is evidence showing this administration overstepping and blurring the boundaries.
You may not comprehend the danger to country because of this but many others do.
Trying to lump all in the Iraq mess won’t fly. You can stay in the dark while others look for the truth.
FYI, It’s not a war. Never declared.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:04 pmOoops, disregard first part of previous post.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:05 pmIt might help if I read the whole damn thing first.
Duh.
Let’s press the sycophantic MSM into covering this horrendous lie by the WH. Time for the people to let them know that they’re failing in their job of bringing timely news to the attention of americans….time for the people to let them know that we’re not “buying their bullshit” any longer.
As for the missing emails, fork ‘em over and pronto! Otherwise, it’s time impeach some sorry butts right out of their thrones.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:05 pmwitheld? Withheld? Spellcheck? spell check?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:05 pmMr. Leahy,
June 14th, 2007 at 1:05 pmPlease do to the White House what VP Cheney told you to do to yourself.
Forensic data recovery.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:06 pmThree lovely words.
This brought another blast from the White House, saying that I obviously had no understanding of how the Internet works and of course that couldn’t be done.
Lysenkoism in the IT department. The GOP is more Soviet every day.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:06 pm.
hellina ~
overstepping and blurring the boundaries?
How about stomping on them and dancing around in circles on them?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:07 pm#28
You failed to state what “e-mails” you are looking for and what is in them.
If it isn’t “war” in Iraq what is it then, and whatever you think “it” is “it” could not have continued if the Dems hadn’t funded it. Your getting blood everywhere hellinabucket…….
June 14th, 2007 at 1:07 pmThe truth will come out, then the party will be over for the Bushies.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:08 pm#28….you got it! The “problem” here is multifaceted and reaches into every nook and cranny of our system of government. People who fail to recognize what’s occurring when two branches of our 3-branch system merge into one are not seeing the forest for the trees. It’s the beginning of the end, as I see it. And it appears that the WH will not do the “proper” thing and stop it with the DOJ as it’s wholly-owned subsidiary. Now you can see how that third wing of the government (Congress) is being absorbed into what truly has become “one fascist state”. It’s over, folks. Begin seeking truth and the truth shall set you free. Otherwise, become a sadist and learn to enjoy the continuous “head banging” you’re going to do in attempting to figure it all out.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:08 pm#37….I wish I could concur - certainly, in time, the truth will prevail but not before this country is incontrovertibly compromised. The tipping balance was breached long ago and it may, indeed, be all over - ‘cept for the cryin’.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:10 pm….and the complicit, criminal Bushitcos will be in hiding.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:11 pmAre these missing emails going to end the Iraq Genocide Project? If so, then I say initiate the largest search operation ever.
One place you may want to look is that way far off corner hidden deep out of sight and out of reach. You know, the land of the lost. Look right behind the jar that holds Reid’s balls and the matchbox that contains what little integrity that Pelosi may have had at one time. They should be right there next to Bush’s national guard records.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:11 pmSen Leahy, just subpoena whatever you need as soon as possible, so the court fight can be over by election day in 2008. Geez….
June 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm#40, They found Eichmann, didn’t they?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pmSo they’ll obfuscate and delay and hem and haw, and Leahy will write another mean letter to them.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:14 pmCan’t they use the Karl Rove emails that were sent to Palast (legally)? Did they call in Palast to give testimony before Congress?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:20 pmHere ya go Jimmy, I’ll answer your questions.
Without going into great detail, the emails in question are regarding government business but done outside of official record keeping in direct violation of the Hatch Act.
As for what’s in them? Let’s look at them and see.
Again, you may not care or understand the importance of this but that doesn’t diminish it’s actual importance to the continuation of our system of government.
There has never been a declaration of War so don’t call it that. It’s the same as me calling you a spineless jellyfish with no real knowledge of your spine.
What “it” is is a continuation of the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq. That’s what “it” is and our administration doesn’t follow it.
Quit with the Dem vs. Rep. crap. There has been too much finger pointing. I won’t even debate the logic for going in. I’ll stand firmly on the horrible execution of this conflict and it falls directly at the President’s feet.
You go ahead and stand by him. I applaud your ability to withstand logic. This Iraq conflict has overextended our forces, filled the pockets of thousands of hired guns, destroyed an already weakend infrastructure and gave rise to the very boogiemen we were trying to subdue.
Go ahead and stand by the makers of that shitsandwich. I’m full.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:23 pmRight now the White House in buying 100 gallons of black paint. They’ll dip all the e-mails in the paint before handing them over. For National Security reasons of course.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:31 pmJust in:
June 14th, 2007 at 1:33 pmRove is going straight to prison.. Now how long until he is pardoned??
AHHHH… Not Rove, I meant Libby
June 14th, 2007 at 1:33 pmPatrick Leahy needs to learn how to play the game at a higher level. He needs to call an urgent press conference immediately. Get all the network & newspaper reporters there.
At the Press Conference Leahy needs announce a Friday deadline of 12 noon. If the e-mails are not delivered, un-redacted, 100%, then the first charge is obstruction of justice.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:35 pmLarry, do you think they are dacting, so as to be able to redact them?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:37 pmJG. just wishful thinking, eh?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:37 pm#51 RU…I think Rove is going over the e-mails with a fine tooth comb. Any e-mail that indicts him gets dipped in black paint. E-mails that shift the blame to others or obscure the case get sent to Leahy. That’s why its taking so long. And precisely why Leahy should demand them immediately.
And when exactly did Leahy find out that Rove had 100% of the e-mails? Was it today or 4 weeks ago? If Leahy knew this information 4 weeks ago why did he wait until today to tell us?
Bottom Line: I no longer trust any of them.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:45 pmI am just curious now if we will get another big terrorist threat warning or other news event this morning (or today) to overshadow the bad news of Libby losing his bid to stay out of prison during appeal..
Just watch..
June 14th, 2007 at 1:56 pmI would agree that Leahy needs to “up the ante” on this one and call in the lazy, sycophantic press on this one. If they fail to show, then we’ll know whom we can ultimately trust….
June 14th, 2007 at 2:00 pm#54 Expect it! It’s the old “cry wolf” syndrome. Except now the people don’t pay a fiddle’s worth of attention to any of it. They can try all they want in their now-transparent way but it won’t work.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:01 pmThe people need to press Leahy to go to the press. Any phone numbers we can call? email addresses for Leahy? If so, please provide them for us.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:02 pmDidn’t think Jimmy would come back and reply
June 14th, 2007 at 2:13 pmHere’s the link to all Senators
http://www.senate.gov/ general/ contact_information/ senators_cfm.cfm
June 14th, 2007 at 2:14 pmWow, that JIM poster sure is a simple minded fool, keep showing off your IQ there feller’, we are so impressed.
Lay off the coffee in the morning and the crack too.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:20 pmJG & Veritas…Imagine if Paris Hilton commits a terrorist act! The media would cancel all programming and cover her exclusively for months on end!
June 14th, 2007 at 2:24 pmContact Pat Leahy and tell him to ratchet up the pressure:
email: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov
June 14th, 2007 at 2:27 pmphone: 1-202-224-4242
61. Good one…..maybe he should dress like Paris, get a wig or something, then get all drunk and drive, then miss a court date….maybe not wear any panties to congress…do a video and post it on the web?
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, Trolls bad
June 14th, 2007 at 2:37 pmSo, they have them. Well, go fu(king get them. How goddamn difficult can issuing a subpoena be? Do it. NOW.
Comment by smafdy
Why is it so difficult for all you guys to understand that the Republicans and Democrats are two side of the same party.
The Democrats only PRETEND to be doing something, about these problems, in order to quell any dissent among the populace. They have no intention whatsoever of doing anything against their buddies the Republicans.
Don’t you people get it? IT’S ALL JUST THEATER, DESIGNED TO MANIPULATE THE POPULACE.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:58 pmJim, pay attention !!! There is no war in Iraq. Especially, there is no civil war.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:23 pmdid they look where Hillary had those Rose Law Firm Files Hidden for 2 years ?
June 14th, 2007 at 4:49 pmBuck Fush = Tittie Baby , cant Debate , lives at home with Mom , No Job , Pretty Much Useless , Mom mows the Grass too .
June 14th, 2007 at 4:51 pmwith Liberals only this is true
America a ‘Progressive Majority,’ Liberal Group Claims
June 14th, 2007 at 4:56 pm(CNSNews.com) - American attitudes toward political and social issues are trending in favor of “progressive” positions and have been for some time, according to a report released Wednesday by the liberal Campaign for America’s Future and Media Matters for America. Full Story
Harry:
June 14th, 2007 at 5:03 pmyou were worm food during the Clinton years. Why do you obsess so? Can you not defend this administration without falling back on others that you have some deep seated animosity toward?
Is anything going to stick???!!
This administration just looks the public in the face and denies everything. If Clinton had done this on even one issue Fox news would still be talking about it.
How does the public get justice? The Bush cronies just keep taking away our rights unchecked!
It’s time to do something!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 5:26 pmHackers unite!
June 14th, 2007 at 6:02 pmSave your country!
#17 JG
great link.
John Conyers has had meetings with Palast and is taking all this very serious. Conyers and Leahy are going to get it done.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:38 pmWhat JOY we are soon going to experience.
Okay - NOW GO GET THEM! And if they refuse march the U.S. Marshals into the White House and handcuff the lot of them. What’s the problem?
June 14th, 2007 at 8:22 pmCourage requires integrity! Trust implies care! Reality is found in truth!
June 14th, 2007 at 9:05 pmTell me where Courage, Trust and Truth are found in either party! When these principles are affirmed the best presidential candidate will be found!
Majic how that works…for those of us who work in the tech world, we alway knew they are just telling another lie and just cooking the books. Face, everything about the Republican party is based on lies.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:10 pmThese posts are great! It’s so much fun watching Charlie Brown think he’s actually going to kick the football this time and Lucy pulls it away from him…….. again.
Oh well, come November 2008 you’ll vote for Hillary Clinton because you’re sheeple and have been told what to do.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:18 pmShirley and Nakti, MSM does not have to have fair and balanced reporting anymore. Regan saw to that. The only way to affect them is to boycott the sponsors. And letting the sponsors know why you are doing it. But they won’t care because it’s corporate america who is running the government.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:28 amTime to tighten the screws on these SOB’s.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:06 pmDemand now that those emails be turned over! Don’t pussyfoot around -issue a supoena!
I remain disappointed that the Judiciary Committee by inaction is allowing the Justice Department to be above the law and you are playing into their hands by failing to go after them. Where are your balls!
June 15th, 2007 at 4:12 pmWell of COURSE they “found” the emails (and other documents). In between the time these were “lost” and this latest announcement Lahey well knew that they were not lost.
So what happened between now and then?
Sanitizing of course.
The Senate will eventually get the emails, after fighting for a year or so. And they will say absolutely zero.
June 15th, 2007 at 4:17 pmThe American people are stupid!
June 15th, 2007 at 10:53 pmListening to Howard Fineman the other night on this topic I was amazed to hear that the firings are simply a “beltway story’ not of interest to anyone outside of Washington and indeed difficult for the public to understand.
God help us!
In democracy the people get what they deserve and lo and behold we are
getting it.
2009 can’t come fast enough but I bet we will not get a big change in policy or principles.
So, they have them. Well, go fu(king get them. How goddamn difficult can issuing a subpoena be? Do it. NOW.
Comment by smafdy — June 14, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
NOW.
In a democracy, there is the reality of majority vote. Thus, in Congressional committees, it requires a majority vote to subpeona. That means, weenie, that it can’t be Bushit-like rush to judgment “NOW”. It must be done by lawful due process.
Perhaps when you grow up you’ll learn the meaning of lawful due process, and perhaps even of democratic due process.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:12 pmSo, they have them. Well, go fu(king get them. How goddamn difficult can issuing a subpoena be? Do it. NOW.
Comment by smafdy
Why is it so difficult for all you guys to understand that the Republicans and Democrats are two side of the same party.
The Democrats only PRETEND to be doing something, about these problems, in order to quell any dissent among the populace. They have no intention whatsoever of doing anything against their buddies the Republicans.
Don’t you people get it? IT’S ALL JUST THEATER, DESIGNED TO MANIPULATE THE POPULACE.
Comment by JPV — June 14, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Let me guess: You’ll be fifteen on your next birthday?
Have you any other excuses for not being involved with politics, and thus learning that the majority of people, in and out of gov’t, are not corrupt?
And that those in gov’t who are corrupt are elected _from among ourselves_?
Stop being an ass. The gov’t is _We the people_.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:19 pmwhy doesn’t just some far left liberal with nothing to lose go up there with a glock 10 or some rapid fire gun and blow this idiot president and his whole cabinet away, and let’s get a new president, the easy way. he deserves to die anyhow, he’s guilty of teason as hell.
one can only hope.
June 16th, 2007 at 3:38 amWhat we are seeing is precisely why we have a right to bear arms. However, I’d have never thought, even remotely, there would ever be a need for citizens to take direct action because our national government had become thoroughly corrupt.
There can be little doubt we are there. Look around at all that has happened and how completely complicit this administration and the congress is. There isn’t a single facet of governance that hasn’t been corrupted. Everything that goes on is for and about an elite class of political and financially powerful persons. You would have to look really hard to find an exception to this. And this isn’t restricted to congressional republicans. Largely because of the system of campaign finance, democrats are just as liable for where we are. And in spite of the obvious condition we are in, it won’t change because congress is not about to indict themselves. Which leaves only the citizens to act on their own behalf. It isn’t pleasant to know that the liars can make all the political commercials they want. That is their right. As citizens we have an individual obligation to be informed even if it takes some effort. The liars can only manipulate us if we allow it. It is very discomforting to know that an awful lot of Americans have no firm idea of what is going on.
The best we can hope for is a national peaceful demonstration, of tens of millions of people, in our nations capitol that goes on for however long it takes for this administration to relinquish power. The question becomes how bad does it have to get before the citizens might force the issue? We can’t know the answer to that but we are edging ever closer to it. The American people are very tolerant and, unfortunately, somewhat stupid. There are limits though, to both. Maybe we’ll just have to wait until Nov 2008. That won’t really solve the basic problems but maybe we’ll get rid of the most odious of our elected officials.
June 16th, 2007 at 5:20 amI can’t bring myself to believe that the WH will turn anything that would incriminate them over to any investigation. They seem to be stalling to go through all the emails and other documents under question to remove anything incriminating.
June 16th, 2007 at 5:26 pmAnything incriminating will come from some other source.