The Republican Credo...

When in doubt - lie and whitewash!

ADMINISTRATION -- BUSH PERSONALLY BLOCKED DOJ INVESTIGATION OF WIRETAPPING PROGRAM:

Earlier this year, the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) conceded an investigation of DOJ lawyers' involvement in the warrantless wiretapping program because security clearance was not granted . Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had previously dodged an explanation as to why clearance was denied, citing that he did not want to "get into internal discussions ."

At a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, Gonzales testified that President Bush personally blocked a probe by the OPR, the agency responsible for investigating attorney misconduct. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), chair of the committee, was confused, being that this matter was "highly classified, very important, [and] many other lawyers in the Justice Department had clearance," and wondered "Why not OPR? " In response, Gonzalez said "the President of the United States makes the decision because this is such an important program," indicating that it was Bush's choice to obstruct the investigation.

From ThinkProgress.org