Bush blocked eavesdropping program probe

AP Wire | 07/18/2006 | Bush blocked eavesdropping program probe

Associated Press
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies about the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 6, 2006.
Chuck Kennedy, MCT
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies about the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 6, 2006.
More photos

* Administration's 2005 wiretap report

WASHINGTON - President Bush personally blocked a Justice Department investigation of the anti-terror eavesdropping program that intercepts Americans' international calls and e-mails, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Tuesday.

Bush refused to grant security clearances for department investigators who were looking into the role Justice lawyers played in crafting the program, under which the National Security Agency listens in on telephone calls and reads e-mail without court approval, Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Without access to the sensitive program, the department's Office of Professional Responsibility closed its investigation in April.

"It was highly classified, very important and many other lawyers had access. Why not OPR?" Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the committee chairman, asked Gonzales.

"The president of the United States makes the decision," Gonzales replied.