The Prez is violating the Law.

[Disturbed]

Can anyone &/or group force him to obey the Law?


THE WHITE HOUSE OBLIGATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12958

Under the executive order, the White House has an affirmative obligation to investigate and take remedial action separate and apart from any ongoing criminal investigation. The executive order specifically provides that when a breach occurs, each agency must "take appropriate and prompt corrective action." (see Reference, below) This includes a determination of whether individual employees improperly disseminated or obtained access to classified information.

The executive order further provides that sanctions for violations are not optional. The executive order expressly provides: "Officers and employees of the United States Government … shall be subject to appropriate sanctions if they knowingly, willfully, or negligently … disclose to unauthorized persons information properly classified."

There is no evidence that the White House complied with these requirements.

Reference:

Executive Order No. 12958, Classified National Security Information (as amended), sec. 4.1(a) (Mar. 28, 2003) (online at www.archives.gov/isoo/policy_documents/executive_order_ 12958_amendment.html).


As of today, July 18, 2005, Mr Bush (and, apparently Mr Cheney in Libby's case) has violated Executive Order 12958 a total of 738 times. And, he has stated on national TV that he intends to continue violating Executive Order 12958 given that he claims he will do nothing until the independent investigation identifies a crime.

And, Mr Bush's continued violation of Executive Order 12958 is corroborated by his Press Secretary, Mr Scott McClellan in an exchange with a member of the press. Ms Hunt's question entails precisely Mr Bush's responsibility under Executive Order 12958, and Mr McClellan confirms that Mr Bush has not done what he should have done on July 14, 2003, if not sooner.

Mr Fitzgerald undoubtedly is familiar with Executive Order 12958.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Don't you mean

the pRez?

[Squatch]

2. Um...this is news?

[electropop]

3. Thanks for the specifics.

Nice to know exactly which rule Bushitler is violating. Well, at least one of the rules he's violating. Actually, it might be quicker to list the ones he isn't.

[leveymg]

4. Problem is, there are no "teeth" for failure to carry out the Directive

if the Prez doesn't want to do that. Someone could go to federal court and file a mandamus, but the case law is split on this sort of thing.

The penalties for disclosure of classified materials, however, are very real and range from 1 year imprisonment (for removing classified docs w/out authorization) to the Death Penalty (intentional disclosure to the enemy in time of war or national emergency).

[BrotherBuzz]

5. Cripes, it's his Executive Order - he can break it (I guess)....

and if he gets called on it, he can simply announce a new Executive Order...You know, a new Executive Order superceding the old one, one that mysteriously clarifies his new position. Can you say flip-flop?