Dick Cheney has been getting a lot of publicity for his comments slamming the Obama administration of late, but now he’s getting attention of a different sort — he’s accused of telling the CIA to withhold information from Congressional intelligence committees.
The New York Times is reporting today that the CIA withheld information about a secret counter-terrorism program from Congress for eight years on orders from the former Vice President.
The secret program, which according to sources was never operational, was revealed to CIA director Leon Panetta late last month. He immediately ended the program and disclosed Cheney’s involvement in closed briefings to congressional intelligence committees.
U.S. law requires that intelligence committees are kept fully informed of intelligence activities, including any significant anticipated activity.
And Cheney, who has been so vocal in recent months, apparently has nothing to say on the matter. The Times reported that its efforts to reach Cheney “through relatives and associates” were unsuccessful. Surprise, surprise.
