Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) on Tuesday said that journalists who helped publish classified information should be punished.
“If they willingly knew that this was classified information, I think actions should be taken, especially on something of this magnitude,” King said in an interview on CNN.
“There is an obligation both moral, but also legal, I believe, against a reporter disclosing something which would so severely compromise national security,” he added.
King’s comments come in the wake of news reports detailing the National Security Agency’s secret surveillance of phone calls and Internet data. The disclosures were spurred by Edward Snowden, a 29-year old contractor who leaked the information to The Guardian newspaper.
The Justice Department has launched a criminal inquiry into the matter and may seek to extradite Snowden from Hong Kong, where he fled, and prosecute him.
Snowden’s actions have been praised by many civil libertarians who say he rightly drew attention to programs which they believe infringe on privacy rights. But the White House and leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence panels have criticized Snowden, saying the programs were legal and that he has compromised national security.
On Tuesday, Speaker John Boehner called Snowden a “traitor.”
King said the leaks had caused “incredible damage.”
“It’s going to put American lives at risk,” he added.
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2 Responses
Whistleblowers need protection, not prosecution. The reason Congress is so upset at the leaker is that it is CONGRESS that failed here. The NSA did what it could be expected to do (try to get as much authorization as possible). Congress is supposed to investigate EACH case and then allow it or not, not give out carte blanche authorizations. This is a FISA panel/court failure of the highest magnitude. That’s why 99% of all senators and reps are angry. They failed magnificently. You’ll note that the public pretty much supports the program, even now – but that’s because we all thought congress was doing its oversight to protect our liberties (as they balance emergency intel requirements). It wasn’t. It’s moot anyway: the attention span of the country that elected Obama has already moved on.
The danger to America is from the crypto (or not so crypto) fascist demagogues like King and Boehner. “National Security” is supposed to justify a domestic spying program that makes the Nixon administration look like a model of open, transparent government.