FAS

The Leak Wars

06.08.12 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

“The Department of Justice has not taken the initiative to prosecute leaks of national security secrets,” said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) at a House Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday.

Considering that the Justice Department in the Obama Administration has initiated an unprecedented number of leak prosecutions, Rep. Smith had it exactly wrong.  But his remark illustrates the rampant confusion and the growing antagonism that surrounds the topic of leaks of classified information.

For some of the latest coverage, see:

“The ‘Leak’ Wars” by Josh Gerstein, Politico, June 8

“Toobin: Obama has been ‘very tough’ on leakers” by Ashley Hayes, CNN, June 7

“U.S. Attacks, Online and From the Air, Fuel Secrecy Debate” by Scott Shane, New York Times, June 7