In response to “an abundance of national security leaks reported to have come from officials within the executive branch,” Senator Bob Corker sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder demanding “[t]he investigation of such allegations must be thorough, conducted without prejudice or partiality and result in credible outcomes that are unimpeachable in appearance and actuality.”

Regarding the Justice Department’s investigation, Senator Corker called for “strong commitments and evidence of the following: Each individual alleged to have disclosed classified information shall be thoroughly and completely investigated, regardless of his or her position in the government.

  Congress shall be informed on a regular basis of the number of individuals alleged to have disclosed classified information, the number who have been investigated, the number found to have disclosed classified information and a determination of the number of cases to be prosecuted in court or settled via administrative actions.”

Here is the letter:

June 28, 2012

The Honorable Eric Holder Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Holder:

The recent abundance of national security leaks reported to have come from officials within the executive branch is shocking and unacceptable.  If true, they reveal details of some of our nation’s most highly classified and sensitive military and intelligence matters, which puts at risk our national security. The investigation of such allegations must be thorough, conducted without prejudice or partiality and result in credible outcomes that are unimpeachable in appearance and actuality.

Your recent announcement that two U.S. attorneys would lead criminal investigations into the allegations of unauthorized disclosures of classified information causes concern that their investigation will be neither full nor thorough and free of influence. 

To that end, I request strong commitments and evidence of the following:

•Each individual alleged to have disclosed classified information shall be thoroughly and completely investigated, regardless of his or her position in the government.

 •Congress shall be informed on a regular basis of the number of individuals alleged to have disclosed classified information, the number who have been investigated, the number found to have disclosed classified information and a determination of the number of cases to be prosecuted in court or settled via administrative actions.  This matter is of the utmost seriousness. While there is clear precedent to appoint an outside special counsel when there is the potential for a conflict of interest, the specter of political influence, or other extraordinary circumstances, you have chosen to appoint two U.S. attorneys to conduct the investigation.  Under this circumstance, the burden to ensure an untainted investigation is great and will require strong assurances and transparency at every step throughout the investigation so that appropriate scrutiny may be applied.

Sincerely, Bob Corker

United States Senator