Boxer Asks Presidential Scholars About an
'Impeachable Offense'
US Senate
Senator Barbara Boxer
December 19, 2005
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today asked four
presidential scholars for their opinion on former White House Counsel John
Dean's statement that President Bush admitted to an "impeachable offense" when
he said he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without
getting a warrant from a judge.
Boxer said, "I take very seriously Mr. Dean';s comments, as I view him to be
an expert on Presidential abuse of power. I am expecting a full airing of this
matter by the Senate in the very near future."
Boxer's letter is as follows:
On December 16, along with the rest of America, I learned that President
Bush authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without
getting a warrant from a judge. President Bush underscored his support for this
action in his press conference today.
On Sunday, December 18, former White House Counsel John Dean and I
participated in a public discussion that covered many issues, including this
surveillance. Mr. Dean, who was President Nixon's counsel at the time of
Watergate, said that President Bush is "the first President to admit to an
impeachable offense." Today, Mr. Dean confirmed his statement.
This startling assertion by Mr. Dean is especially poignant because he
experienced first hand the executive abuse of power and a presidential scandal
arising from the surveillance of American citizens.
Given your constitutional expertise, particularly in the area of
presidential impeachment, I am writing to ask for your comments and thoughts on
Mr. Dean's statement.
Unchecked surveillance of American citizens is troubling to both me and many
of my constituents. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter as soon as
possible.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
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