On Wednesday’s broadcast of Fox News Channel’s “America Live,” New York Republican Rep. Peter King said with the leaks about the National Security Administration first put forth by the Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald, it may be time to consider prosecuting the journalists.
According to King, not only should Edward Snowden be prosecuted for the leaks, but Greenwald as well for threatening to name names of CIA agents.
“I’m talking about Greenwald,” King said. “Greenwald, not only did he disclose this information, he has said that he has names of CIA agents and assets around the world and is threatening to disclose that. The last time that was done in this country, we saw the CIA station chief murdered in Greece. No right is absolute and even the press has certain restrictions. I think it should be very targeted, very selective and a rare exception. In this case, when you have someone to disclose secrets like this and threatens to release more, then that to me — yes, there has to be legal action should be taken against him. This is a very unusual case with life and death implications for Americans.”
Host Megyn Kelly asked King to explain the differences in Fox News Channel’s James Rosen, who had his own problems with the Justice Department in discovering intelligence secrets, and Greenwald in these circumstances.
“James Rosen never said he was going to release information that was going to kill Americans,” King said. “He was never going to disclose the names of CIA operatives around the world the way that Greenwald has said, the way he is threatening to do. That to me is a direct attack against Americans, putting American lives at risk. And to me — no right is absolute. And obviously freedom of the press has to be cherished in this country. But, in this case some people are glorifying Snowden, making him a hero and now acting as if Greenwald was acting as a legitimate journalist. I mean, just think of June 5, 1944 — you had somebody threatening to release the date of the D-Day invasion, which would have result in the deaths of thousands of Americans, to me, to me that has crossed a line. And also, I think this clearly does violate U.S. code, which talks about releasing classified information. So, you know there is a law out there.”
“I agree when it comes to reporters it’s used very sparingly and should be,” he continued. “But this is a very unusual case. I think the whole case, by the way — it really bothers me seeing so many Republicans and conservatives talking about this being spying and snooping. Too many Republicans and conservatives have become Michael Moore. And I think it’s dangerous to our country. General Alexander is an American patriot. This program is protecting Americans.”