FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@dcaclu.org
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the Senate Select
Committee on Intelligence to thoroughly question General Michael V. Hayden at
his confirmation hearing to be the new Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency. Hayden was the Director of the National Security Agency when that
agency began a warrantless program to spy on Americans and data-mine their phone
records, and has been one of the chief advocates for this illegal monitoring of
Americans’ communications.
“The Senate has a constitutional obligation to vigorously question this
controversial nominee, and they should hold General Hayden’s feet to the fire,”
said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. “We urge the committee to
break through the stonewalling that we have seen thus far. The rule of law
was broken under General Hayden’s watch and Congress is entitled to honest
answers about what led to illegal wiretapping and how extensive the violations
of Americans’ rights have been.”
Today’s hearing follows a move by the White House to belatedly provide both
the House and Senate intelligence committees, as required by law, with
classified briefings on the warrantless NSA wiretapping and data-mining of
Americans’ communications. The ACLU noted that there must be more than
just political appeasement to ease Hayden’s confirmation, and this initial
briefing to the full committees must be followed by full disclosure and real
congressional oversight.
The ACLU has also called on Inspector General Fine at the Justice Department
to investigate that department’s involvement in illegal NSA spying
program. The IG’s involvement is necessary given that the Justice
Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility has been denied the required
security clearances to conduct its own investigation into the warrantless
eavesdropping program. Attorney General Gonzales has rejected repeated
calls for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the program.
In addition to the concerns surrounding the NSA’s illegal activities, the
ACLU also urged lawmakers to question Hayden about how the CIA would respect the
rule of law under his guidance. That agency also has a demonstrated
pattern of violating federal laws, including ratified treaties, at the direction
of the White House.
“This is also an opportunity for Senators to demand that the CIA uphold the
rule of law,” said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington
Legislative Office. “The practice of unlawful rendition, the torture and
abuse of prisoners and the use of ‘black sites,’ or secret prisons operated
overseas, all violate the spirit and letter of our Constitution and laws.
Those who oversee our nation’s intelligence agencies must have the highest
respect and regard for our rule of law.”
The ACLU is a non-partisan organization, and takes no official position on
Hayden’s nomination.
For more on the ACLU’s concerns with the warrantless NSA spying program, go
to:
www.aclu.org/nsaspying
