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Question of the Week: Do you believe an independent investigator should be appointed to investigate the recent flurry of leaks of classified national security information?

Posted by Randy | July 19, 2012

In recent months, considerable angst has arisen in regards to leaks of classified national security information. Three particularly high-level and dangerous leaks have given rise to allegations that, at worst, the White House purposely released the information in order to reap political gains or, at best, has been negligent in protecting against leaks and aggressively punishing guilty of releasing classified information. These incidents, which pose potentially severe and dangerous implications for U.S troops and intelligence officers, include the release of:

1)      Classified information about cyberwarfare, including the fact the Stuxnet malware attack on the Iranian Nuclear program was an American operation.

2)      Classified information about the Osama Bin Laden raid, including specific participating units and information from the compound.

3)      Highly sensitive details about the process by which the President in White House counterterrorism meetings designates people for “Kill Lists” targeted by special operations forces and drone strikes.

As a result of the gravity and frequency of the leaks, and because of concern that the Administration could not effectively investigate themselves, several in Congress are calling for an independent counsel to be appointed to investigate the string of national security leaks.

Question of the Week: Do you believe an independent investigator should be appointed to investigate the recent flurry of leaks of classified national security information?

( ) Yes.

( ) No.

( ) I am not sure.

( ) Other, please share your thoughts below.

Take the poll here.

Find the results of our last instaPoll here. 

Comments

Users are solely responsible for the opinions they post here and their comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Congressman Forbes.

R. G. commented on 7/19/2012

Leaking of classified information is always a concern, congressman Forbes. However, I have to admit these days I'm more afraid of what our government is designating as 'classified'....not in the interests of the American people mind you....but in the interests of those entities which truly hold the reigns of power. I for one am glad the president's criminal and totally illegal 'kill list' was discovered, because it is another major warning sign that our government has truly abandoned its role as protector of liberties, and has become an enforcement agent for those who would oppress free men and women, all in pursuit of that global governance the power elite so cravenly desire. Using kill lists and engaging in undeclared wars in multiple countries serves no purpose other than to ensure America is in a constant 'state of emergency' and fear, which is then used as justification for all manner of oppression here at home. Not to mention filling the pockets of the financial and military industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about. America is derailing badly, congressman, and I fear you are falling into the trap of believing there is any real, substantive difference between Democrats and Republicans in our modern two-headed single-party oligarchical system. The methods may differ slightly, but the endgame is identical.
Robert Brown commented on 7/19/2012

The use of an independent council is a 'two-edged sword' in that no one person or group limits the scope of the counsel's investigation. As we saw with the Valerie Plame investigation, an aggressive attorney/investigator can take the investigation anywhere he wishes and inflict 'collateral damage' as he/she wills, even if those charged have little or nothing to do with the original purpose of the investigation. The real question is: will justice be served and can we be sure that, by investigating the alleged 'leaks', the investigation results in better security safeguards and all those responsible are charged and tried under applicable Federal statutes? If the answer is reliably a 'Yes', then the Congress should appoint an independent council and, in the appointment, limit the scope of the counsel's invetsigation and authority.
Gary Thompson commented on 7/19/2012

The nature and complex understanding of the workings of special forces operations and the knowledge shown of specific targeting ops, coupled with the obvious use of this information to promote the President and his administration in an election year lends itself to the belief that the leaks came from someone within the inner circle of the President. This makes this. Treasonable offense worthy of being decried as "high crimes and misdemeanors" and treated as such. The administration has done nothing to investigate other than state they found no evidence of administration involvement even though the NY Times basically stated that is where the information came from. A special prosecutor should have been appointed as soon as there was suspicion of a senior member of the administration providing the information. The DoJ cannot be trusted to investigate for the obvious reason.
SSgt Elizabeth Davis commented on 7/19/2012

We quit being a "Republic" almost two hundred years ago. (Thank you, Andrew Jackson, for making us a democracy...) People want freedom, forgetting that it isn't free. They mock those willing to pay the price, then complain when they can't get the same benefits. As for the leaks, say it isn't important - to the people who pay the price for someone else's stupidity. Yeah, the Plume debacle also should have been investigated and someone fired for the leak, but that put one person at risk. These leaks put THOUSANDS at risk. Is Plume less important? Of course not, but these are much worse. All for political gain; how sad. We have politicians that would risk your life to stay in office because they aren't the ones who will suffer the consequences. I don't care which party is guilty; in the final analysis, both are.
Matthew Atkinson commented on 7/19/2012

More information is better than less information. Why does anyone think the government has the capability to make best use of this information?? A great example of this is when researchers used leaked information from wikileaks to predict insurgent attacks on our troops in Afghanistan. Why didn't the government officials with access to that information develop the prediction algorithm? This is an example of too much government with too much power to make too make too many things classified. Check out this link http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/18/3165615/researchers-wikileaks-data-predict-insurgent-attacks
Thomas G commented on 7/19/2012

The leaks do need investigation and that is already happening so I'm not yet calling for further action. However, I find it extremely offensive congressman that you use the term 'independent' in your question. What are you suggesting with such language? Are you now admitting that congressional republicans have totally lost their capacity to govern? Well its about time someone in the republican party admits this. I'm wondering if as a member of the judiciary committee you have something to report on the promise of the republican chairman to establish tough new gun control reforms in the wake of the tragic Fast and Furious debacle that evolved from Bush administration policy that never yielded a single arrest but helped to unleash the murder of hundreds, perhaps thousands that resulted from the failure to preserve the assault weapons ban. I must say that you were warned about this congressman Forbes and perhaps now the change of position will stop the slaughter. Let's move on sir, you have a jobs bill sent to you last September you have not acted on. You also voted to shove our great nation into default last year and now you apparently are aligning with the republican party nominee to not only prevent defense department budget cuts, that the congress already authorized but I have yet to hear a single mention of how the republicans plan to fund 2 TRILLION dollars in additional defense spending over 10 years the nominee proposes. That is simply an absurd idea. I hope that you will change course and support an end to the Bush tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires and support the middle class. In the twelve years you have been in congress it is quite apparent that the middle class, the Navy, the unpaid for wars and the crumbling national infrastructure has not left the constituency better off than they were. I don't know how you can turn the corner with the electorate but pursuing such divisive policy.
paul ryan commented on 7/19/2012

it will be a waste of time and money, regardless of the outcome NO ONE will be held accountable.
Rex Kelsey commented on 7/20/2012

It is pointless. Our government is broken. This would just be a huge waste of money and nothing would ever be done about it. Our government doesn't listen to the people and just does whatever it wants whenever it wants.
C. Schober commented on 7/20/2012

I believe this sort of high level activity has been the norm for decades, yet few, if any, investigations have been conducted. Further, I believe that the attacks on 09-11-01 were an inside job and that an international board of inquiry should be conducted in getting to the bottom of this catastrophe. Yet the only eyebrows that are raised (or worse) over 9/11 are at person such as myself who bring issues such as this to the fore.
Peter Loy commented on 7/20/2012

Investigators shbould be appointed to see what Willard Romney is hiding in his income taxes.
Peter Loy commented on 7/20/2012

Investigators should be appointed to see what Willard Romney is hiding in his taxes. Mr. Forbes why don't you bring this motion to the floor and make a little history for your tenure on the hill.
Walter Barrett commented on 7/20/2012

Why should we pay for special investigating when we have the FBI, Internal Affairs and CIA? Is that not what they get paid to do; special investigating?
T C B commented on 7/20/2012

Why bother? Unless it is a wealthy business owner, a small business owner or a Republican the Obama administration would do nothing with the findings of an investigation. If a state were responsible the administration would sue the state and focus attacks at their law enforcement agencies so we're probably better off not knowing.
Tammy DiBiaso commented on 7/20/2012

Instead of an independent investigator costing tax dollars should not NCIS, FBI, CIA investigate ?
Deborah Grulke commented on 7/20/2012

While any leak of classified information is troubling, this is nothing NEW! I don't agree with your insinuation that some new tactic or trail is being blazed; that this particular White House has engaged in something illicit. You've been in Washington long enough to know it happens all the time ... if you haven't figured that out yet, I suggest a new career. I'd like to say this smacks of an idea straight from Karl Rove's playbook, but it dates back much further than the past decade. So, whether an internal or independent investigator should be employed to uncover the truth, my question to you is how much will it cost me and my fellow citizens? It seems to me that with all the screaming over the ecomony and our growing deficit problem that you could put our resources to better use than conducting what will ultimately amount to nothing. How about you and your fellow colleagues in Congress do something useful, like pass a jobs plan? Now that, I'd like to see and you'd have my full support.
Gregg J commented on 7/20/2012

Here’s a thought, we investigate the law makers that deregulated America into a financial meltdown and collapse in the housing sector. Maybe AG Holder can take this on.
Hughey Donald commented on 7/20/2012

Whats failed to be mentioned is the cost to launch these purposeless investigations. Im in the military and know very well the implications of class leaks. An estimated investigation cost should be given so we the people understand the cost to benefit relation. If we really want to show a waste of investigations, just look at the conclusion stats of rescent investigations. Most have been verdict as unsubstantiated and most Americans would ask, "what was the reasoning for initiating this claim?" The main focus is political gain which I dont believe is a valid speculation. We have sitting representatives who are proposing terroristic ties yet we fail to broaden our investigation of more creditable problems. Congress should be a servient duty to us, not finding ways to better serve themselves. Investigate congress. Thats worth the money.
John Massengill commented on 7/21/2012

If this information is true and accurate not a political ploy before elections then yes there should be an independent investigation into this security leak.
Todd Kennedy commented on 7/22/2012

Both Dem's and Rep's use leaks when it benefits them the most. Stop trying to spend our money on another waste of time. Protect the privacy of the people you work for...the 4th district.
linwood wilson commented on 7/23/2012

Why should we spend all that money, when it comes to something that important just how many people have the final say about the US top security information. Anything other than them would be just speculation. Use our own people and start investigating from the top. But then again when very large somes of money start changing hands who can be trusted, even at the top!
s larmer commented on 7/24/2012

It is about time people starting taking our national security seriously. Our enemies certainly do.
Jody Sykes commented on 7/25/2012

No, independent investigation should be done,that is why we have the FBI, DHS,and the CIA for. The thing is what finding the is obtained,no one will be held accountable for the reprehensible damages it may or may not have caused on both sides of the the political aisles. It seems like now a days everything is labeled as "national security" interests, even the worse corruption and government abuse of privileges at it highest forms,have not been reprimanded for it,guess parties figured ,what the People don't know won't hurt them..
A Jackson commented on 7/25/2012

Once again, congressman, it seems that your purpose is to get some people whipped up against the current administration. We all know that you are among the most partisan of representatives -- why are you constantly feeling the need to impress the most conservative members of your base? Oh, my, I forgot..it's an election year!
Rudy Daye commented on 7/26/2012

I think the Congressman should focus his time on legislation that really matter to his constituents rather than, as previouly mentioned, things that might appear to be just another political ploy...
Jim Brewer commented on 7/26/2012

Finding the security leaks should not be all that hard or costly. Follow the trail, working backwards, research the info from emails and other correspondence's captured by government agencies. Interview all people in the "circle of responsibility / influence" and follow up on "bits and pieces" of divulged information. A handful of investigators could handle this task, but NO information should be disclosed to higher level officials individually or in small groups until the investigation outcome is near completion. Additionally, there already is a number of laws to cover unlawful disclosure of U.S. security information as well as a list of employment penalties which should be used. We don't need more laws or penalties deployed, just use the ones already in existence.
Rich Reviello commented on 7/26/2012

Mr. Congressman it seems to me, for Congress to appoint an "Independent Investagator" , to investagate security leaks in Washington is a joke. Their is no such thing as an independent investagator in Washington. You couldn't find one with a search warrant, in the Beltway. Your bringing this up, as yet another attack against the President saying it like so many other Conservatives/Republicans. Think about this, who was the first person to say "This information might have been leaked by the White House, for the purpose of political gains". Not anyone who really bipartisan that you can be sure of. To make comments that the President leaked this for political gain, that is just plan stupid. You Mr. Congressman like other law makers should refrain from this type of conjecture. The comments your making such as this, are strickly for political gain! Cut it out already, if your constituants don't realize by now that you don't care about The Country, your only concerned about the Republican Party and the Lobbyist who give you money, for your re-election. I would love to know exactly how much you benifit from lobbyist, maybe that should be a starting point for an investagation.

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