Marathon Pundit: Gibbs contradicts counterterror officials on consultations about Mirandizing Christmas bomber

Friday, February 12, 2010

Gibbs contradicts counterterror officials on consultations about Mirandizing Christmas bomber

We tried the law enforcement approach in fighting jihadists; Andrew C. McCarthy, the lead prosecutor in the first World Trade Center and New York landmark trial, says that approach was a tragic mistake that only strengthened the then-nascent al Qaeda.

President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder prefer the failed path. Now the White House seems to be stumbling over itself over the issuing Miranda Rights to the Detroit bomber.

We are at war.

From the Senate Republican Communications Center:

White House Contradicts Defense, Intelligence, And FBI Chiefs' Testimony About Whether They Were Consulted On Mirandizing The Christmas Day Bomber

WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS: "The Defense Department, The intelligence community, and the FBI all came to an agreement that the way he was being interrogated, and what has now led to his cooperation, was the path that we should go down." (MSNBC, 2/11/10)

Secretary Of Defense, Director Of The National Counterterrorism Center, Director Of National Intelligence, Secretary Of Homeland Security, And FBI Director Testified They Were Not Consulted

REP. BUCK MCKEON (R-CA): "Did he [AG Holder] consult with you before the FBI interrogated the Christmas Day bomber, And before they were given their Miranda Rights?" ROBERT GATES, Secretary of Defense: "No." (Armed Services Committee, U.S. House Of Representatives, Hearing, 2/3/10)

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME): "So my question for each of you -- starting with you, Mr. Leiter -- Is were you consulted regarding the decision to file criminal charges against Abdulmutallab in civilian court?”

MICHAEL LEITER, National Counterterrorism Center Director: "I was not."…

DENNIS BLAIR, Director Of National Intelligence: "I -- I was not consulted. The decision was made on the scene."…

JANET NAPOLITANO, Secretary Of Homeland Security: "I was not." (Homeland Security And Government Affairs Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 1/20/10)

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI Director: "No specific instructions or consultations with persons at this table as to whether the individual should be Mirandized. The doctors then took [Abdulmutallab] in for surgical procedures. During that afternoon there were discussions here amongst most of the agencies here as to what should occur down the road, although no specific instructions or consultations with persons at this table as to whether the individual should be Mirandized. We were then given an opportunity later that night to again interview him, and after consultation, or in consultation with justice department attorneys, we determined to follow our protocols – protocols established by the Supreme Court – in terms of how you interrogate and question individuals in custody in the United States.” (Intelligence Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 2/2/10)

Leon Panetta, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lieutenant General Ronald L. Burgess, Jr., Acting Assistant Secretary Of State For The Bureau Of Intelligence And Research John Dinger. (Intelligence Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 2/2/10)