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Questioner
The daily question, WikiLeaks apparently today released what is described as a treasure trove of infrastructure targets around the world, which of course could be damaging not only to those countries but to US interests. Why hasn't the Government just gone ahead and shut down the site? Or shut down the dissemination of his information? Why can't you do that?
Eric Holder, US Attorney General, Department of Justice
Well, let me condemn in the strongest terms the leaks of information that have come as a result of the actions that you have just reference. National security of the United States has been put at risk, the lives of people who work for the American people has been put at risk. The American people themselves have been put at risk by these actions which are, I believe, arrogant, misguided, and ultimately, not helpful in any way. We are doing everything that we can. We have a very serious, active ongoing investigation that is criminal in nature. I authorized just last week a number of things to be done so that we can hopefully get to the bottom of this and hold people accountable, as they should be.
Questioner
What are the things that can be done? And has the Government explored the ability to be able to seize the sites. Last week you were before us saying look at all the Web sites we seized and shit down. But, you can't do that in this case. What are the parameters that are limiting that? And, what are some of the actions that you did authorize to go forward?
Eric Holder, US Attorney General, Department of Justice
It is an ongoing investigation. I don't want to get into exactly what I authorized, but I can say that I personally authorized a number of things last week and I think that is an indication of the seriousness with which we take this matter and the highest level involvement in the United States Department of Justice. With regard to all the tactics that we can do or can use to ameliorate the consequences of these actions I don't want to get into those as well, but we will do everything that we can both to hold people accountable, and to minimize the harm that will befall American people.
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Questioner
Mr. Attorney General, going back to WikiLeaks for a minute. Can you help us understand, going back to Jason's question for a minute, why you can't shut these sites down? Is there something within the law? Is there something missing within the law that prevents you from doing that?
Eric Holder, US Attorney general, Department of Justice
Well as I said, I don't want to get into what our capabilities are. At this point I will simply say what I have just said. We have a very serious criminal investigation that is underway, and we are looking at all the things that we can do to try to stem the flow of this information.
Questioner
Several members of Congress from both political parties have offered to produce legislation to close gaps and vague issues in the Espionage Act and elsewhere. Are you working with the Hill to do that at this point, or is that not necessary?
Eric Holder, US Attorney general, Department of Justice
Well it is certainly something that we need to look at to see exactly the Espionage Act as everyone knows is something that is pretty old. There have been subsequent Court decisions that cast some doubt on on at least some provisions in the Act, but I think people should also understand that is not the only tool that we have to use in the investigation of this matter. Now I don't what to get into specifics here but people would be have a misimpression if the only statute you think we are looking at is the Espionage Act. That is certainly something that might play a role, but there are other statutes, other tools that we have our disposal.
Questioner
In terms of the things that you authorized last week, are you talking about search warrants, FISA applications? Can you be a little more specific?
Eric Holder, US Attorney general, Department of Justice
All I would say is that there were significant things that I personally authorized. |
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Name(s:) |
Eric Holder |
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Title: |
Attorney General |
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Agency(ies): |
Department of Justice |
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Concerning: |
Grand Jury, Banking Blockade |
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Url: |
Url Link
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