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Originally Posted by aceventura3
The bottom line on this issue for me is this: If the Bush administration willfully and without regard for the law violated the civil liberties of US citizens, the administration should be held accountable.
Congressional leaders with inside information should come to the American people and tell us if this issue is worthy of prosecution. If it is impeachment proceeding should start immediately.
On the other hand, if Bush acted in good faith protecting or national security and in doing so the administration slightly stepped over the legal line, then I say we acknowledge it, fix the problem, and move on.
There is no value to our nation in having hundreds if not thousands of trials on this issue.
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Congress did not have inside information, because the White House withheld, and continues to withhold, the information from both Congress and the FISA court.
Congress is now in the process of compelling White House officials and others to testify on the so-called Terrorist Surveillence (warrantless wiretapping) Program in order to obtain such information as is its right and obligation as the oversight authority over the Executive branch.
Subpoenas have been issued and ignored.
Subpoena to Josh Bolton
Subpoena to Phillip Lago
Subpoena to David Addington
each served with Subpoena attachments
There are others, but I think these make the point.
The WH has not complied and the next step is to hold those persons in Contempt of Congress, which would require the DoJ to act if a contempt order is approved by either the House or Senate. Gonzales had said he would have refused to act to enforce a Congressional contempt order; its is uncertain if Mukasey will fulfill his legal obligation if/when it reaches his desk.
There is also an ongoing perjury investigation of Gonzales within the DoJ (Congress asked for a special investigator rather than allow the DoJ to investigate itself but Bush refused), for his testimony on the TSP.
Perhaps all of this fits your concern of "hundreds or thousands of trials" (or investigations) of a potential crime by persons in the Executive Branch.
In the interim, your suggestion of "slightly stepping over the line" is a novel legal concept.