Judge Gives State Dept Major Tongue-lashing for FOIA Foot-dragging
From POLITICO
Judge gives State Department tongue-lashing over Clinton classification training records
Big day for ouches for the extended Team Clinton. Here's the tongue lashing received by the State Department in Court. This is from a 10-minute hearing today in a FOIA case brought by The Daily Caller related to the topic of how folks at State were trained in working with classified information. The Daily Caller had requested records relating to training for Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin and Jake Sullivan. State came up empty at their first try. The Daily Caller asked them to look again, if I'm reading this correctly, last week they came up with 450 unclassified documents and 1000 classified documents (some of which are EXTREMELY classified, if you'll accept my short hand - therefore, there is no expected date at this time for producing this second batch).
Apparently, the State Department did not send an attorney to this hearing to represent them. The only attorney representing the government was from the Department of Justice (does this strike anyone else as VERY odd?).
Here's how Politico frames the issue:
According to an FBI report, Clinton said she could not recall receiving any training or briefing on how to handle classified information. However, when the extent of her use of a private email account as secretary was revealed last year, Clinton said: "I’m certainly well-aware of the classification requirements."
Never thought I would compliment The Daily Caller, but I've seen some things which appear to be actual journalism from them this year. I don't believe I've seen WaPo or NYT broach this particular topic.
If he ever was amused, Judge Leon appears to be long over that:
"You have a client that to say the least, is not impressing the judges on this court, myself included…It is in your client’s interest to start being more obviously cooperative," U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon warned Justice Department lawyers representing State during a brief hearing Monday." The State Department is at risk of being perceived as obstreperous. [They] need to get with the program."
State wanted to finish producing the requested information by October 17, Leon told them they have until the 10th, and that they need to avoid back-loading the releases so that they get the bulk of it out ahead of the 10/10 deadline.
Here's how the hearing apparently ended:
"We will do our best," Justice Department attorney Jason Lee told Leon.
"Do better than your best... You do it," Leon shot back.
Then Leon left the room, even as the DOJ attorney was trying to address him.
We are told that State had no comment for this story.
If Clinton wins, we have a LOT more of this sort of crap to look forward to.
Comments
Both DOJ and DOS attorneys have been present at JW FOIA
depositions. However, this is apparently a FOIA request by a different organization in front of a different judge. Hillary, better circle those wagons tighter; there's more of them doggone Investigators out thar!
MsGrin,
Did you see that Clinton requested, and was granted, a 2 week extension to the interrogatory that was due 29 step?
Due to availability of council & the press if the campaign. Note: she requested this about a week before she was diagnosed with pneumonia.
They will now be released during early voting
Thank you, I did see it - I didn't do a full essay on it, but noted it in whatever I was bellyaching about when it came out.
I continue to look forward to what she (read: her attorneys) pump out for that.
I'm still not at all convinced she was diagnosed with pneumonia, however.
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
Judges Can Have Accidents
I hope Judge Leon doesn't now that he's chided Her Heinous for her behavior and lack of contrition.
Vowing To Oppose Everything Trump Attempts.
I suspect this is all on State
...that Clinton does NOT identify what is plaguing them as having anything to do with her. She's used to throwing folks (agencies, too, if one looks at this history) under the bus.
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
Another thing is that, to
Another thing is that, to quote from the OP:
once she has the Presidency, won't she just ignore this sort of thing to ask her loyal followers/paymasters "Will no-one rid me of this turbulent pest?"
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
The Repugs in congress won't ignore it.
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage
omigod.
I would not want to be the lawyer that got that "You do it" order from my presiding judge.
Or the client he/she represents.
Wow.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Sounds like the State atty didn't want 2 get that either
and hence didn't bother showing up (the DOJ was only atty present).
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
Those are the kinds of court hearings
that send lawyers to the liquor store. You never forget that moment, the judge never forgets you, opposing counsel will forever put it in your face.
Forevah!
The record is forever.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981