Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, on Sunday had harsh words for the Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald revealing last week that the National Security Agency is looking at phone records of virtually all Americans.
Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Rogers said, “I know your reporter that you interviewed, Greenwald, says that he’s got it all and now is an expert on the program. He doesn't have a clue how this thing works” (video follows with transcript):
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Finally, we're just about out of time. I just want a quick answer from each of you on this. We saw that a crimes investigation has been opened. Is it fair to say that both of you believe that this investigation should be pursued and the source if found should be prosecuted?
CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS, CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE (R-MICHIGAN): I absolutely believe that someone did not have authorization to release this information, and why that’s so important, George, is because they didn't have all of the information. I know your reporter that you interviewed, Greenwald, says that he’s got it all and now is an expert on the program. He doesn't have a clue how this thing works. Neither did the person who released just enough information to literally be dangerous. I argue that there's other methods. He could come to the committees if they had concerns. We have IGs that they can go to in a classified way if they have concern.
Taking a very sensitive classified program that targets foreign persons on foreign lands, and putting just enough out there to be dangerous, is dangerous to us, it's dangerous to our national security, and it violates the oath of which that person took. I absolutely think they should be prosecuted.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You too Senator Feinstein?
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, CHAIRWOMAN OF SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE (D-CALIFORNIA): I do.
