Holder involved in decision to ask for search warrant for reporter's private emails
Washington (CNN) - Attorney General Eric Holder was involved in the Justice Department's decision to seek a search warrant for Fox News reporter James Rosen's private e-mails, a Justice official told CNN.
The decision to apply for the search warrant was vetted at the department's highest levels, including Holder, the official said, although the decision to issue a warrant was made by a federal magistrate judge.
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The Obama administration's aggressive posture against leaks to reporters on national security matters has come under scrutiny recently as probes of Rosen and Associated Press reporters have come to light.
It prompted Obama to announce on Thursday he has directed Holder to review federal guidelines for investigating leaks and reporters. That review will include assembling a panel of media representatives.
Justice Department officials dug into the phone records of AP reporters, including work, cell, and home lines, the news agency said earlier this month. It said investigators were looking into its account of a foiled plot to bomb a U.S. airliner in May 2012.
AP reporters were never labeled as suspected criminals, but an FBI affidavit used to obtain the warrant for Rosen's e-mails described him as potentially being an "aider and abettor and/or co-conspirator" to the crime of disclosing government secrets.
That case centers on a 2009 Fox News report on classified intelligence about North Korea.
No charges have been brought against Rosen or Fox News.
Obama said Thursday he was "troubled by the possibility that leak investigations may chill the investigative journalism that holds government accountable."
- CNN's Kevin Liptak and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
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What is wrong with you people? Reporter reports classified information, government needs to find out who leaked the classified information so we can prosecute. Very simple, nothing to see here..
This is what happens when the government no longer works for people. Vote the bums out.
This regime is the most cor rupt, most rac ist racket eering and crim inal enterprise in recorded history.
This is what you get when you deal with terrorists.
Those leakers are uncovering illegal activities by the government which otherwise would be covered up. the government has to obey the law and are supposed to set an example. not be crooks...
Bart – Nothing to see here? Holder lied about it to Congress, so you think that's no big deal? I do, and I hope that he is ousted and prosecuted. He is a lying machine. It speaks volumes that so few of you libs have commented on this article.
Patriot Act dictates no search warrant is needed.... thanks bush
The Republican Party set out on Jan 21st 2009 to "make Obama fail" and to try to emasculate Eric Holder as America`s Top law enforcement person. I APLAUD the courage of Holder to do his job, LEGALLY, in the face of all the partisan innuendo which, I sure, he knew would be aligned against him from the very start.
The GOP and their cyberspace supporters have ZERO credibility. Any other time, they would be BLINDLY supportive of snything that sought to preserve or enhance "National Security".
Lastly, for those posters who think that they can make a lot of noise and vibration around the mention of Holder and supeonas or warrantsj it`s not going to work. This is an old corporate/organizational tactic to try and get someone FIRED when others fear them and it has been done to female & minority executives for DECADES. America has evolved and will not fall for it anymore.
Eric WithHOlder, U. S. Criminal General. Traitor in a position of high power, who when asked by the ones he works for, Congress, about Fast and Furious lies like a dog, with no earnest response of information. Then comes IRS scandal and he lies like a dog. He's got some lies on the books so this is our chance to put his scoundrel in jail.
If Holder were white (an conservative)... EVERYONE WOULD BE SCREAMING FOR HIS RESIGNATION!!!
So, because he is black, that exempts him?
Oh, that's right... a conservative wouldn't pull such a idiotic stunt!
did he lie? did he stonewall? what is classified in regards to IRS whistle blow that would threaten national security? or does this just threaten their jobs? Why label anyone outside the Obama Democrat arena an atavist a republican or the many other labels now being used to divide America?
What is wrong with you people? It is never OK for any attorney general to do what Holder has done. You keep bringing up Republicans and Bush, if it was big deal under Bush, it is also a big deal under Obama. At least be consistent, or you are a hypocrite. We the people need to hold our government accountable regardless what party is in charge. This is very scary! Holder needs to go, and the media needs to find out the truth.
The same POS who forced border states to sell AR15s to the cartel despite said shops contacting the BATFE with concerns. This guy belongs in prison.
Obama using third world tactics w press and IRS... Most corrupt prez ever!.
Obama is not "troubled" by the fact that government did this. He is "troubled" by the fact that they got caught!!!
Obama has Holder investigating Holder??? I wonder how genuine that investigation will be.
Holder would be capable of either role in Dumb and Dumber. Can't remember a weaker attorney general.
Witch hunt? Bahahahah! Holder said he was never involved. He lied to congress. Your morals suck! Maybe you don't care if you are lied to, but we do.