Slaughter & Conyers file FOIA w/ DHS for Guckert/Plame documents

[paineinthearse]

For Immediate Release
February 15, 2005 Contact: Eric Burns
202-225-3615


Rep. Slaughter Seeks Details From Homeland Security in Gannon/Plame Scandal Under Freedom of Information Act

Reps. Slaughter & Conyers Call on Department of Homeland Security to Release Information


Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (NY-28), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules, and Rep. John Conyers (MI-14), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, filed a Freedom of Information Act request today with the Department of Homeland Security asking for the release of all information related to Jeff Gannon, his credentialing/security clearance to cover the White House, the White House's involvement in credentialing/clearing reporters, and Gannon's involvement in the leaking of a classified Central Intelligence Agency memo containing the identity of undercover agent Valerie Plame.

"How much longer must we wait for answers? By his own implication 'Mr. Gannon' has had access to classified documents that contained the identity of an undercover agent for the CIA. The American people deserve to know how this man was able to get access not only to the White House briefing room but also to these very sensitive documents," said Slaughter.

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter has been out in front of the Jeff Gannon/Valerie Plame issue from day one; first calling on the President to explain Gannon's presence in the White House briefing room, then by joining with Rep. Conyers of the Judiciary Committee in asking the Special Prosecutor and Secret Service to investigate concerns over White House security and Gannon's access to classified documents.

The letters follow:

February 15, 2005

The Honorable Tom Ridge
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528

Re: Request Submitted Under the Freedom of Information Act

Dear Secretary Ridge:

This letter constitutes a request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 (FOIA). The request is submitted on behalf of the Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Recent news reports indicate that James D. Guckert, a Republican activist gained access to the White House press briefing room and Presidential press conferences in violation of standard security procedures and was allowed to work under the assumed name, "Jeff Gannon." News reports also indicate that Mr. Guckert would not be considered a bona fide journalist by his peers in the press corps, as most of his claims to legitimacy have already been discredited. Access to the President and his press corps is highly competitive, and many seasoned journalists have not had the honor of attending the events or enjoying the access Mr. Guckert has.

We are concerned that such an individual was allowed within a few feet of the President when the public is routinely disallowed any possible contact with either the President or the White House. We understand that your security policies are developed in conjunction with the White House and want to ascertain your respective roles in this decision as it appears to deviate significantly from heightened security measures you have employed recently. To the extent that

White House policies were incorporated into the Secret Service's files and have been read by the Secret Service, we would also like records from the White House.1

To determine what process you employ to clear individuals for attendance at events within a close proximity of the President, we seek the release of agency records as described in the numbered paragraphs below



1. All records setting forth or discussing the standards the Secret Service or the White House impose on those who are granted access to the President and the White House Briefing Room. Please include all records discussing whether the Secret Service or the White House routinely allow guests to use false names.

2. All records setting forth or discussing policies, procedures or guidelines discussing clearance into the White House Briefing Room, as it was applied to Mr. Guckert. Please include all records indicating how any such policies, procedures or guidelines were communicated to Mr. Guckert.

3. The White House Press Secretary denied any responsibility for determining who is granted clearance into the White House Briefing Room. Please disclose what individual or agency is responsible for requesting that the Secret Service conduct a security clearance for individuals or members of the media who wish to enter the White House Briefing Room.

4. All records relating to security qualifications for granting "permanent" White House press corps credentials and how they differ from those of a simple day pass.

5. All records indicating or discussing whether and to what extent someone who is cleared for a daily pass is required to be cleared each time they return on subsequent visits to the White House Briefing Room, as in the case of Mr. Guckert, who returned frequently for up to two years.

6. All records relating to how many daily passes are issued for White House briefings and Presidential press conferences at one time. Please include all records indicating whether there is a limit in place for security or other reasons.

7.All records setting forth or discussing who has the authority, if at all, to exempt an individual or member of the media from security clearance by the Secret Service in order to gain access to the White House Briefing Room.

8.All records indicating how many times and on what days Mr. Guckert was cleared by the Secret Service into the White House, and at whose request.

9. All records indicating what types of passes were issued for Mr. Guckert.

10. All records of communication between the Secret Service and Mr. Guckert. Please include all records, including telephone conversations, emails, or facsimile communications.

We request a waiver of fees on the grounds that disclosure of the requested records is in the public interest and because disclosure "is likely to contribute significantly to the public understanding of the activities or operations of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester." 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii).

The House Judiciary Committee and House Rules Committee publish newsletters, news briefings, and other materials that are disseminated to the public. These materials are widely available to everyone for no cost. The records requested are not sought for commercial use, and the requesters plan to disseminate the information disclosed as a result of this FOIA request through the channels described above.

As indicated above, numerous news articles reflect the significant public interest in the records we seek. Disclosure of the requested records will contribute significantly to the public's understanding of government conduct.

If our request is denied in whole or part, we ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the FOIA. We expect you to release all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material. We reserve the right to appeal a decision to withhold any information or to deny a waiver of fees.

We look forward to your reply to the request within twenty (20) business days, as required under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i).

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention and response to this matter.

Sincerely,



Louise Slaughter John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Member, Ranking Member,
Committee on Rules Committee on Judiciary


Edited to add link.
http://www.slaughter.house.gov/HoR/Louise/News/Press+Releases+By+Date/2005+Press+Releases/Slaugther+seeks+detail+from+Homeland+Security.htm

[HereSince1628]

1. Of course since only the BUSH admin can protect the USA

anything that embarrasses them is a threat to national security. Don't expect any FOI request on Gannon to be filled in the next 4 years.

[sadiesworld]

2. GO! GO! GO!

:kick:

[BigBearJohn]

3. Man! I wrote to Conyers yesterday and it appears he's already on it!

He is my HERO!

[paineinthearse]

4. My message to Mike Hudson of the Niagra Falls Reporter

You may remember that it was the Niagra Falls Reporter (Rep Slaughter's home town newspaper) whose publisher, editorial board and correspondents wrote an open letter to Louise Slaughter to initiate investigation into the Jeff "Gannon" Guckert matter. Here's my message asking him to help move media mention away from "Jeff Gannon" (without the quotes). This was suggeseted by a DU member here several days ago and I support it fully, the reason being is to emphesize Guckert's misrepresentation of himself to the blogoshphere, the White House and the world of his true identity.

===============

Mike,

Re: Rep Slaughter's & Conyers' join letter to the Dept of Homeland Insecurity.

Louise continues to rock!!!!

Just one thing, please relay through Eric Burns or directly to the Representative that "Jeff Gannon" should be in quotes, thus indicating it is a phony name. Else use Jeff Guckert, aka "Jeff Gannon".

"Jeff Gannon" misrepresented and prostituted himself (literally) to the blogoshpere, the White House, and the American people.

thanks!

(me)

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. I just love John Conyers.

I really doubt they will get any incriminating info from Homeland Security. There's no way anyone within this government is going to turn over any info that could hurt this administration. JMCPO

[sadiesworld]

6. .

[Generator]

7. Yipee skipee-I agree Conyers is an American treasure!!!

20 days to respond! Ah ha...then what? Another trip to liarville. But fingers crossed for any "teutonic plates" as it beats listening to eveyrone bitch about the Dem they hate the most. (That would be Lieberman for me..with everyone else that didn't vote against Rice and Gonzalez a close second) :smoke:

[paineinthearse]

8. 2/11 Slaughter/Conyers call for special prosecutor

http://www.slaughter.house.gov/HoR/Louise/News/Press+Releases+By+Date/2005+Press+Releases/Slaughter+calls+on+Special+Investigation.htm

For Immediate Release
February 11, 2005 Contact: Eric Burns
202-225-3615

Rep. Slaughter Calls on Special Prosecutor to Investigate Gannon's Role in Plame CIA Document Leak Scandal

Reps. Slaughter & Conyers Call on Special Prosecutor and
Secret Service to Investigate Growing Gannon Scandal

Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (NY-28), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules, and Rep. John Conyers (MI-14), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, called on Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald to investigate the leaking of a classified Central Intelligence Agency memo containing the identity of undercover agent Valerie Plame to a man at the center of the White House Press Briefing Room scandal, "Jeff Gannon."

Rep. Slaughter, a long-time advocate for media reform and accountability, brought this story into the national spotlight days ago when she wrote President Bush asking for an investigation into the issue.

"This matter is growing more serious by the day. We now know that 'Jeff Gannon' had access to classified CIA documents that contained the identity of undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame. This is more than an issue of media manipulation by the White House... this is now an issue of national security," said Rep. Slaughter. "What is the White House hiding? This man, Mr. Gannon, should never have been admitted into the White House briefing room in the first place. Someone let him in day after day. Someone gave him access to classified CIA documents. Someone must answer for this. It is critical that we uncover the exact nature of the relationship between Gannon and this White House," added Slaughter."

In addition, Reps. Slaughter and Conyers wrote W. Ralph Basham, Director of the Secret Service, calling on his office to provide details on the security clearance of day pass holders in the White House briefing room as well as any and all information they can provide on Mr. Gannon.

"White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan was unable to answer these important questions in yesterday's briefing so we hope the Secret Service will be able to fill in the blanks," said Slaughter. "Since the White House has denied any role or responsibility in this matter I hope the Secret Service can shed some light on their procedures for clearing day pass holders to the White House briefing room," continued Slaughter.

The letters follow:

February 10, 2005
Mr. Patrick J. Fitzgerald
United States Attorney
US Attorney's Office
219 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 5000
Chicago, IL 60656

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald:

We write to ask that you investigate the leak of a classified Central Intelligence Agency memo containing the identity of undercover agent Valerie Plame to James D. Guckert, a member of the White House press corps. It appears that the White House was so focused on smearing the reputation of Ambassador Joseph Wilson, that it knowingly leaked his wife's identity to a Republican activist posing as a journalist.

James D. Guckert, who operated under the false name "Jeff Gannon," and may have engaged in criminal activity, had been attending press events at the White House for up to three years. Mr. Guckert reportedly received an internal and classified CIA memo that revealed the identity of Ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife. Because of the extremely sensitive nature of this leak, and its relation to the investigation you are conducting, we believe that you as special counsel are the most appropriate person to conduct the inquiry.

Under Department of Justice regulations, a special counsel should investigate when (1) a "criminal investigation of a person or matter is warranted," (2) the investigation "by a United States Attorney Office or litigating Division of the Department of Justice would present a conflict of interest for the Department," and (3) "it would be in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to assume responsibility for the matter."1 In the present case all three factors have been met.

As has been long discussed, revealing the identity of an undercover agent violates myriad laws. Whoever in the Administration gave Mr. Guckert the memo risked Ms. Plame's very life and must be punished to the full extent of the law.

There is a clear conflict of interest in the Administration investigating Mr. Guckert's role in this crime. Mr. Guckert and the White House press operation work together closely to forward the President's policies.

First, Mr. Guckert would not be considered a bona fide journalist by his peers in the press corps, as most of his claims to legitimacy have already been discredited. Access to the President and his press corps is highly competitive, and many seasoned journalists have not had the honor of attending the events or enjoying the access Mr. Guckert has. That a person of these dubious qualifications was given such close contact to the President, perhaps in violation of standard security procedures, demonstrates the Administration's affinity for and bias towards Mr. Guckert.

Second, Mr. Guckert's questions clearly reiterated the White House's policy, and simply asked for concurrence. Finally, Mr. Guckert's "articles," published by a news front for GOPUSA, track White House talking points word for word.

Clearly, Mr. Guckert returned the White House's favor by advancing the President's policies with gusto. With such a close relationship between Mr. Guckert and the White House, the conflict of an administration-led investigation is all too apparent.

Finally, the public interest has been thwarted far too long over the leak of Ms. Plame's identity. It has been over a year and a half since Robert Novak published Plame's identity and we are no closer to finding who in the Administration illegally leaked her status as an undercover agent. Having a special counsel immediately follow up this lead is necessary to ensure that those who risk their lives for our country to gather intelligence are fully protected.

We look forward to hearing whether you will be following up on this new information, or if you have, what progress you have made.

Sincerely,

Louise Slaughter John Conyers, Jr.


Ranking Member, Ranking Member,
Committee on Rules Committee on Judiciary




February 10, 2005

W. Ralph Basham, Director
United States Secret Service
950 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20223

Dear Director Basham:

We write to inquire about the process you employ to clear individuals for attendance at events within a close proximity of the President. We have recently become aware that a Republican activist, with a potential criminal past, gained access to the White House press briefing room and Presidential press conferences and was allowed to work under an assumed name. This appears to contradict the strict standards you have set for protecting the President in the past and have applied to others seeking access to the White House or the President.

It has recently been revealed that James D. Guckert has been repeatedly cleared by your office to attend White House press briefings over the last several years. He was, however, allowed to operate under an assumed name, which we understand to be contrary to your usual policies. That he may be engaged in illegal activity only heightens our concern.

We are concerned that such an individual was allowed within a few feet of the President when the public is routinely disallowed any possible contact with either the President or the White House. We understand that your security policies are developed in conjunction with the White House and want to ascertain your respective roles in this decision as it appears to deviate significantly from heightened security measures you have employed recently.

While we appreciate the extremely difficult task you are assigned to, we are concerned about these discrepancies. For this reason, we ask the following questions:

* What standards do you impose on those who are granted access to the President and the White House Briefing Room? Do you routinely allow guests to use false names?

* Were those standards applied to Mr. Guckert? If not, why, and at whose request?

* This afternoon, the White House Press Secretary denied any responsibility for determining who is granted clearance into the White House Briefing Room. What individual or agency is responsible for requesting that the Secret Service conduct a security clearance for individuals or members of the media who wish to enter the White House Briefing Room?

* What are the security qualifications for granting "permanent" White House press corps credentials and how do they differ from those of a simple day pass?

* When someone is cleared for a daily pass, are they required to be cleared each time they return on subsequent visits to the White House Briefing Room, as in the case of Mr. Guckert, who returned frequently for up to two years?

* How many daily passes are issued for White House briefings and Presidential press conferences at one time? Is there a limit in place for security or other reasons?

* Who has the authority, if at all, to exempt an individual or member of the media from security clearance by the Secret Service in order to gain access to the White House Briefing Room?

* How many times and on what days was Mr. Guckert cleared by the Secret Service into the White House, and at whose request?

Thank you in advance your prompt attention and response to this matter.

Sincerely,



Louise Slaughter John Conyers, Jr.


Ranking Member, Ranking Member,
Committee on Rules Committee on Judiciary

[linazelle]

9. Conyers had better watch out before he gets suicided or somthin' n/t

[SmokingJacket]

10. Hot dog!!

Can't wait to see what they come up with.

[TWiley]

11. Proud to be from Michigan !

Add John Conyers to Jennifer Granholm, Debbie Stabenow, and Carl Levin, and it is clear that we are geared to kick some repubbie butt.

I sure hope their efforts gain support.