IRmep | 2 November 2007
There are multiple concurrent behind-the-scenes efforts that would likely result in getting this case thrown out. New legislation purporting to strengthen “protection of reporters” and the real possibility that government agencies won’t declassify enough of the wiretap and surveillance data documenting Weissman and Rosen’s alleged espionage activities are only two. The US attorney who originally brought the charges against Rosen and Weissman unwound (.pdf) the very guidelines that kept the prosecution moving, before he was jettisoned in the ensuing Attorney firing scandal.
An examination of Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey’s prosecution record also indicates additional allies of AIPAC may enter the fray to help drop the case. While hard on convicted terrorists, Mukasey’s sentencing docket reveals a light touch for tie-bearing criminals. If confirmed, he would be very likely to order US Attorneys to drop the case entirely.
In “Foreign Agents” IRmep documents the sordid history of AIPAC, an organization that since its founding has routinely flouted important US laws including Foreign Agent registration, the Logan Act, election laws, and possibly the 1917 Espionage Act. It is now more likely that AIPAC will not face any criminal consequences for employing espionage as a tactic to influence US policy development on Iran. However, the generally underreported details of the trial should not escape the attention of citizens committed to cleaning up Washington.
Mukasey all but a shoo-in for approval
By Richard B. Schmitt, Los Angeles Times, 3 November 2007
WASHINGTON — Michael B. Mukasey appeared on Friday to be all but assured of becoming the nation’s 81st attorney general when two Senate Democrats broke ranks and said they would support the retired federal judge to head the Justice Department.
While acknowledging serious concerns about his views on interrogation techniques, Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Charles E. Schumer of New York said they would vote to confirm Mukasey when the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up his nomination to succeed Alberto R. Gonzales on Tuesday.