Wiretap Catches Rep Making Deal for Pro-Israel Lobby Group

(NEWSER) - The Bush administration's warrantless wiretap program wasn't such a great anti-terror tool after all, says a new federal report. The wiretaps—on the international communication of Americans—"generally played a limited role" in counterterrorism efforts, despite the assertions of President Bush, Dick Cheney, and other top officials that they were essential, the New York Times reports. More»

Move unrelated to scandal, they say

(NEWSER) - Federal prosecutors may drop charges against two pro-Israeli lobbyists at the center of a wiretapping scandal involving a member of Congress, the Washington Post reports. The feds say the possible move has nothing to do with the scandal involving Rep. Jane Harman. Instead, a series of recent court decisions in similar cases—the men are accused of trying to obtain classified information—has made it more difficult for prosecutors to prevail. More»

Calif. rep decries 'outrageous' 'abuse of power'

(NEWSER) - California Rep. Jane Harman demanded today that Justice Department release “unredacted” transcripts of telephone conversations recorded without her knowledge, Politico reports. Harman demanded the wiretapped conversations be released in response to media reports that she was recorded agreeing to try to help two pro-Israel lobbyists accused of spying in exchange for them touting her for chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee. More»

Domestic calls, email, financial transactions under scrutiny—all without a warrant

(NEWSER) - Traditionally charged with foreign surveillance, the NSA has increasingly been analyzing data collected domestically, reports the Wall Street Journal—on a scale comparable to that of a Pentagon proposal Congress killed 5 years ago. "When it got taken apart, it didn't get thrown away," says a former government insider. The NSA can track email, Internet searches, calls, banking, and travel info, all without warrants. More»

10 top officials subpoenaed on behalf of pro-Israel lobbyists

(NEWSER) - In a rare move, a federal judge yesterday ordered Condoleezza Rice and 10 other high-ranking officials to testify at the upcoming trial of two pro-Israel lobbyists accused of espionage. National security adviser Stephen Hadley and former Defense official Paul Wolfowitz are among those subpoenaed to testify on behalf of the lobbyists, the Washington Post reports. More»