Sessions suggests it may be time to send more journalists to jail

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

This nation must end this culture of leaks,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Friday — seemingly unaware that government officials have used leaks to undermine their political rivals at least since Alexander Hamilton deployed similar tactics against Thomas Jefferson. Sessions added that the press “cannot place lives at risk with impunity,” and that the Justice Department is currently reviewing its policy governing subpoenas targeting members of the media.

Link to tweet

Sessions’ announcement follows a statement by Donald Trump calling upon the attorney general to crack down on leakers, as well as a critical tweet.

Link to tweet

Though it is unclear how, specifically, the Justice Department will change its policy governing media subpoenas, the current rules give Sessions a lot of leeway to make life hell for many reporters. Although DOJ rules do offer some protections against rogue prosecutors who pay too little respect to the freedom of the press, they were not designed to prevent the attorney general himself from targeting journalists.

Current rules provides that the Justice Department typically may only subpoena non-consenting journalists “after authorization by the Attorney General, or by another senior official.” The rules also require DOJ to subpoena journalists only as a last resort, and only after “negotiations with the affected member of the news media have been pursued and appropriate notice to the affected member of the news media has been provided.” Nevertheless, many of these limitations can also be overcome if “the Attorney General determines that, for compelling reasons, such negotiations or notice would pose a clear and substantial threat to the integrity of the investigation, risk grave harm to national security, or present an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm.”

https://thinkprogress.org/how-sessions-can-make-trump-happy-by-making-reporters-lives-miserable/

[rzemanfl]

1. Fascist elf! n/t

[pangaia]

2. Remember the film, THE FLY?

This pip squeek reminds me of that flick.

And-
That huge press.....

[Boomerproud]

3. What about prosecuting lies told by the RW media?

That would keep you guys in Justice busy 24/7.

[burrowowl]

9. Amen!!!!!!!!

[GulfCoast66]

4. swill for the base

If they truly send career FBI agents off to find leaker with unlimited resources, the white house will be empty.

[Skittles]

5. repukes want to take health care away from tens of millions of Americans

then they squawk about "putting lives at risk"

FUCK YOU SESSIONS

[bdamomma]

6. They won't stop the leaks

I hope more come out each day.

[spanone]

7. and trump starts feelin' a lot of love for sessions...this is what don wants

[smirkymonkey]

8. Granny, I think it's time for YOU to go to jail.

You fascist little elf! You are next on the chopping block and I hope to hell that pig fires you and that your career is over for good.