Lawmakers: Bush Withheld Tillman Documents

White House Cites "Executive Branch Confidentiality Interests" In Withholding Info On Friendly Fire Death

(AP)  Two influential lawmakers investigating how and when the Bush administration learned the circumstances of Pat Tillman's friendly-fire death and how those details were disclosed accused the White House and Pentagon on Friday of withholding key documents and renewed their demand for the material.

The White House and Defense Department have turned over nearly 10,000 pages of papers — mostly press clippings — but the White House cited "executive branch confidentiality interests" in refusing to provide other documents.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Tom Davis, R-Va., the committee's top-ranking Republican, said Friday the documents were inadequate. They insisted that the Defense Department turn over the additional material by July 25 and asked that the White House do likewise.

Tillman, a San Jose native, turned down a lucrative contract with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals to join the Army following the Sept. 11 attacks. He was killed April 22, 2004, by friendly fire in Afghanistan.

Although Pentagon investigators determined quickly that he was killed by his own troops, five weeks passed before the circumstances of his death were made public. During that time, the Army claimed he was killed by enemy fire.

Tillman's family and others have said they believe the erroneous information peddled by the Pentagon was part of a deliberate cover-up that may have reached all the way to President Bush and then-Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld. The committee said Friday it had scheduled a second hearing on Tillman's death for Aug. 1, this time to probe what senior Pentagon officials knew and when.

Rumsfeld and Richard Myers, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were among those the committee invited Friday to appear.

The White House has turned over nearly 1,100 pages of documents and the Defense Department nearly 8,500 pages since the committee requested information from them in April, part of an inquiry into why Tillman's family and the public were misled.

"The document production from the White House sheds virtually no light on these matters," Waxman and Davis wrote to White House counsel Fred Fielding, part of a renewed request for additional papers.

The committee made public a letter last month in which Fielding said the White House was holding back certain papers "because they implicate executive branch confidentiality interests." He added the White House had blacked out portions of "purely internal e-mails between White House personnel."

The White House's argument for withholding some papers is the same one it used last month as it rejected congressional subpoenas for documents in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys. Executive "confidentiality" is a lesser claim than "executive privilege"

more a polite way of declining than a firm refusal — and thus still leaves room for negotiation, congressional staffers involved in the matter said.

Fielding added the White House had blacked out portions of "purely internal e-mails between White House personnel."

Waxman and Davis fired back that "these are not appropriate reasons for withholding the documents from the committee." And they charged that the White House had simply held other papers back.

In particular, they expressed doubt that the two documents they'd received on communications between the White House and Pentagon on Tillman's death were the only ones of their kind. One was simply a packet of newspaper clippings.

"Corporal Tillman's death was a major national story," they wrote. "It is not plausible that there were no communications between the Defense Department and the White House about Corporal Tillman's death."

"The committee was fully aware that certain documents were withheld as our letter to them made clear last month — along with our offer to discuss possible accommodation that meets the committee's interests while respecting separation of powers principles," Blair Jones, a White House spokesman, said Friday evening. "We continue to offer an opportunity for the committee to move forward in a spirit of accommodation, rather than conflict."

Waxman and Davis complained to Defense Secretary Robert Gates of a "failure to provide a complete production to the committee." For instance, the committee received no documentation on how Rumsfeld learned of Tillman's death.

They said the Pentagon had not produced any papers from, among others, the offices of Gen. John Abizaid, then head of Central Command.

A week after Tillman died, a top general sent a memo to Abizaid warning that it was "highly possible" that Tillman was killed by friendly fire. The memo made clear that the information should be conveyed to the president. The White House said there is no indication that Bush received the warning.

Two days later, the president mentioned Tillman in a speech to the White House correspondents dinner, but he made no reference to how Tillman had died.

A White House spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.

Separately, Waxman asked the Republican National Committee for copies of e-mail communications that involved Tillman and White House officials. That request was an outgrowth of the oversight committee's finding last month that 88 White House officials had e-mail accounts with the RNC, and that the administration may have committed extensive violations of a law requiring that certain records be preserved.

[inventagod]

Bu$h - A legacy of lies.

[drummer94]

***? First a suspect ep now a suspect ec from gb. What in the world would there be to hide. We know it was friendly fire. Who's azz is getting covered on this one? One a them retired generals?

Bush was too high on cocaine and booze to fly the
oh so dangerous patrol missions over the Gulf of Mexico when others were dying in Vietnam. Now he covers up the legacy of a *genuine* hero, who unlike Bush went into harm's way. Sickening.

[afmca]

Who can possibly be left that will stand up for this dispecable, immoral, criminal administration. This has to be the last straw! Executive privilege to protect papers that would shed light on how the White House played Tillman's death for political gain. The depth of lies from this administration knows no end. Bush, Cheney, and Rove will spend eternity rotting in the deepest part of hades!

[deborahcox05]

Is there no limit for how low this man will go?!

He is a liar to the core; a despicable human being!

[kirstinharr]

Don't you miss the days of Monica Lewinsky?

[randalds]

Just when you think it can't get any worse or more sickening, Bush comes up with something new that makes you want to puke. This is todays.

This coward, this worthless, gutless piece of sh*it who was too yellow to go to war himself, lies about a hero to up recruitment for the war he's more then glad to send others off to die in for his profit and then claims executive privilege when investigators want to know what happened. You are scum George W. Bush. In fact you are lower then maggot puke. If there really was a god you'd be roasting in hell right now you god-da*mn bast*rad.

[randalds]

In fact you are lower then maggot puke. If there really was a god you'd be roasting in hell right now you god-da*mn bast*rad.

Oh and the above sentiment applies to anyone who still supports this lying pile of garbage that's trying to call itself a president. If you support him is this cr*ap, then you're just as much a low down maggot puke worthless piece of sh*it as he is.

[feelfree1]

Wouldn't it be more efficient to list the things that the Bush regime has NOT lied about?

[pared1]

Bush is a f#cktard. Impeach him and all his other low life associates.

[gunownerdan]

Our government has been hijacked by a reckless mob of dirty democrats and rotten republicans being controlled by huge corporations that profit from war, torture, and imprisonment.
But no one seems to care too much.

[ohforme]

Oh, great! I just puked in my mouth. Thanks alot, georgie, you low-life, miserable, lying, sack o'monkey sh*t! You are a no good, worthless, heartless, thoughtless, gutless, hippo-critical sanctimonious ba$****!

[stevex47]

This administration(gang) wont answer any question truthfully. Period.

[stevex47]

Where's seven pesos when you need him?

[brianbwb-2009]

FeelFree1

"Wouldn't it be more efficient to list the things that the Bush regime has NOT lied about?"

The list is shorter than this reply.

[idlepugilist]

Executive branch confidentiality interests = we won't tell you who did lied, but it wasn't the janitor.

[observantx]

This coward in president's clothing and his gang of thugs will lie about anything they need to, will smear anyone they can, and will destroy or hide any evidence they can get their hands on.

In short they will do ANYTHING, kidnapping, torture, imprisonment, you name it, to keep themselves and their off-stage sycophants raking in the blood money and subverting our government to tighten their grip on power.

But it seems that's OK as long as we have our laughtrack TV blather and the latest Paris Hilton drama to ooh and ahh over. Never mind real investigative journalism (B-O-R-I-N-G!) Pay attention to Congress? (Fuhgeddaboutit).

I seem to remember that someone once said that the people get the government they deserve. What's that flapping sound? Oh, just chickens coming home to roost.

[lorinkundert]

This Congress is unbelievable, talk about total worthlessness, don't you dead beats have important things to do like run the country? instead all you care about is getting ahead for the 2008 elections while using the taxpayers money. A Third party is the only way to go without a revolution.

[grazinggoat]

FeelFree1
"Wouldn't it be more efficient to list the things that the Bush regime has NOT lied about?"
The list is shorter than this reply.
Posted by brianbwb at 11:23 PM : Jul 13, 2007

- The George Walking-Liar Bush Son of George Walking-Liar Sr Bush, Son of W-Liar Bush... All Liars Dynasty. Long Live America under Walking-Liars legacy.

[jetranger7]

THE BUSH / CHENEY ADMINSTRATION - REGIME IS AN OUTRIGHT FRAUD, AND DECIEPTFUL NO GOOD SOBs ! THEY'VE LIED SINCE DAY ONE ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, NOW WE KNOW THAT THE 2001 ELECTIONS WERE A FRAUD AND DEFINETLY MANUIPLATED AND FABRICATED TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THEY WON THE ELECTION WHEN THEY DIDN'T ! ALTHO I WOULDN'T OF WANTED GORE EITHER THO. THIS BUSH / CHENEY ADMINSTRATION SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY IMPEACHED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE WITH FORCE IF NECESSARY, USING THE US FEDERAL MARSHALS, THE FBI AND SECRET SERVICE IF NEED BE, TO HAUL THEM OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE IN HANDCUFFS IN PUBLIC VIEW ! THESE 2 LYING SOBs, SHOULD STAND TRIAL FOR DERLECT OF DUTY, FAILURE TO DO THEIR JOBS, MISLED AND LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THE CONGRESS AND SENATE, AND DELIBERATELY FABRICATED AND MANIPULATE THE FACTS ON IRAQ, AND PRESENTED FALSE EVIDENCE THAT THEY KNEW WAS A OUTRIGHT LIE. THEN THERES THE VALERIE PLUME INCIDENT, FOR WHICH THEY'VE LIED ABOUT THAT TOO ! THEN THERES THE MISSION ACCOMPOLISHED JOKE ! THEN THERES THE MISSING MULTI-BILLIONS OF US TAX PAYER MONEY, EAR MARKED FOR IRAQ THEY CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR. FRAUDULENT MILITARY CONTRACTS THAT THEIR OWN GAO CAN'T OVERSEE OR GOVERN. THEY'VE PURPOSELY CUT BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY, HAVE WALTER REED HOSPITAL MESSED UP, PURPOSELY MIS TREAT THE TROOPS RETURNING FROM IRAQ, DENY THEM BENEFITS, LIE TO THEM ABOUT TOUR OF DUTY, THEN THERES THE JESSICA LYNCH COVER UP JOKE. THE WMDs OF SUPPOSED MASS DESTRUCTION !

[randalds]

I wonder if any of the usual Bush as*skissers will dare to post some sort of defense for this indefensible and inexcusable cowardly act? I wonder if even his most ardent supporters are so low and disgusting as to even support him in this? I hope there are no people who dare call themselves American who would be such scum as to try to defend this despicable as*shole in this.

Still, I won't be surprised to see mudrose, pwrslm or one of those low lifes try it.

[nyckate]

Good Christ - is there anything this SOB Bush hasn't mislead the nation on?? Instead of asking what lies he has inflicted ont his nation it might be quicker to ask if ever once has the sob ever told the truth.

The manipulation of even Tillman's death wasn't beyond them - they have deceived this nation for too long on too many issues.

Screw impeachment - just put them in at Gitmo.

[lastdance2]

There was a time when :
"Treason" : Was a criminal act !!!

No-More

Who said : The FBI is - "Not" -
A Criminal Organization !!!

Lastdance

[tbweb]

Stating that this White House withholds documents is old news. This White House won't even let America see its dead coffins returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, out of sight, out of mind? The only way America will know what really went on is to elect all Democrats in '08 so America can see what's been going on for real for 8 years of Bush administration secrecy and hidden agendas. Electing Republicans in '08 will only allow Bush administration secrets to remain unknown and hidden. I don't even support Democrats, I just want the truth and I want to know whats been going on behind the scenes and its the only way to find out for sure! I don't think there and just hidden skeletons, but full bodies as well.

[brianbwb-2009]

to tbweb,

I find that we have a lot of common ground, even though I have never supported Republicans, for this Black man, all I have ever seen during ny 50 years is that since post reformed democrat George Wallace, the most virulent right wing racists seem to be drawn to the Republican party, and they make no pretense of pandering to their wishes. The "party of Lincoln" has became the party of David Duke, Pat Robertson, Bush, Cheney, and their ilk.

Having said that, I however doubt if even a 100% Democrat government can clean up Bush's mess, as the big bribery fund called the business lobby will simply pay the Democrats to maintain the status quo, and if there exists information that might upset the status quo, I'm afraid the Democrats will also bury it.

[brianbwb-2009]

tbweb,

The reason I am pessimistic is because I see the "old school" politicians (those in office before say 1980ish) are still concerned with concepts like keeping their party in power at all costs, even to their constituents, while the "new school" politicians are only interested in grabbing as much corruption booty as they can while in office, and to heck with anyone coming after them.

This I see as the logical evolution of unregulated capitalism, ever more efficient, and ruthless in the pursuit of capital, anything goes, as long as you can afford the fines and penalties, even human sacrifice...

[neoconrcrazy]

The White House and Defense Department have turned over nearly 10,000 pages of papers %u2014 mostly press clippings ""


press clippings...ahem...maybe they contain some secret code which could reveal the total and absolute insecurity of the bushits faced with the emblematic death of an American hero - by friendly fire......

it wasn't the end they wanted.....

[mcvet]

This Congress is unbelievable, talk about total worthlessness, don't you dead beats have important things to do like run the country? instead all you care about is getting ahead for the 2008 elections while using the taxpayers money. A Third party is the only way to go without a revolution.
Posted by lorinkundert at 11:59 PM : Jul 13, 2007

What are you babbling about? What does the CONGRESS have to do with this? I'm a Combat Veteran and the family of this man deserves to KNOW what went on and why they were NOT informed of this man's death in a proper way. You fascist make me sick with your division and hate methods! If you do not stop it you'll find yourself in the bunker with your fuhrer! Sieg Heil Bush

[mcvet]

Huh? What the blue blazes do the Democrats have to do with this? THEY are the one's trying to get to the bottom of the lies and deception. It's it time for you to give the division a rest? We can't continue as a nation if you clowns continue to divide us in the way you are, for no other reason that you narrow one issue mentality. NO ONE is going to take you cap pistol away from you Sparky! Grow up for Gods sake!! Sieg Heil Bush!

[forthepeopl1]

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want," though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training.

OK THE WHAT IN THE HELL ARE WE STILL THERE, AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED ONCE AL-MALIKI TELLS US HE DOESN'T WANT US THERE WE WILL LEAVE.

ITS TIME FOR OUR SEN/REPS TO REMINDE HIM OF WHAT HE HAS STATED..NOW LETS GET THE F/U/C/K/ OUT OF THERE.

[keithle1]

It's going to take a long time for us to recover from the Bush-Cheney administration. Why some people think they're the greatest thing since sliced bread is beyond me. If Cheney isn't Satan, no one is. Who in their right mind is still considering voting Republican? I cannot wait til Nov 2008!

[donnie900]

High profiles always seem to create these misunderstandings. Has no one considered the possibility that whats going on here isn't the military's fault, but instead the fault of an intended stigma gone sour? That maybe people other than the military wanted this guys memory to be something other than friendly fire? And thought they could do it?

Its like being the centerpiece of a collection of porcelain smurfs. They all get broken, but when the one everybody's talking about does, it has to be for the right reasons, and not an accident.

[donnie900]

Ya see, despite what they say about movie stars and all them other icons of courage, They're just like everybody else. But the propaganda machine doesn't them to be like everybody else. It wants them to be inspirational, and movie star.

And when it tries to make them inspiration and movie star, it creates a vacuum of doubts and suspicions.

[donnie900]

Its kinda funny (in a morbid kinda way, of course) the way that works. There's 100 bodies rolling by the mortician on rollers, and the one the guy sees on teevee makes it more important. As if there could be a value on such a thing.. But thats what most people don't understand about the war machine: There is a value on such things.

[donnie900]

Propagandists are the strangest people you'll ever wanna meet. And today more than ever before. And whenever anybody mentions "faith".

[r9119111]

For the sake of our Republic, impeach first Cheney then Bush right now. I am only one, but I do exist and am an American Citizen.

[barbaraf4]

"For the sake of our Republic, impeach first Cheney then Bush right now. I am only one, but I do exist and am an American Citizen."
Posted by r9119111

It sounds like you are demanding that I do this for you. Instead, how about a ground-swell movement that we all support and get this thing moving? We have whined and complained for 6 years, but if we had started acting several years ago, Bush & Co would be gone by now. By the way, I am in favor of getting Bush and Cheney out, but you know that leaves us with Spineless Pelosi.

[barbaraf4]

r9119111:

By the way - if we impeach Cheney first, it gives the Chimp an opening to appoint the person he wants. It might be someone like Harriett Myers, who we would never have as President, so we wouldn't impeach Bush.

[barbaraf4]

r9119111:

I seriously doubt that we have to worry about Cheney. I think he died (heart ailments) somewhere around the 2nd year of Bush's first term. I think they have been using a body double whenever they need his presence. He never has been very animated, so they could switch someone in and tell them to rarely speak. Since most of us aren't that familiar with this dark presence, it would be easy to pass him off.

[likeitis5050]

If Republican extremists continue to snap and bark at every revelation of misdirection, lies, deceit, and manipulation by the Bush Administration, they might want seek medical intervention now. The truth is bubbling up all around this administration, and if what little has surfaced is causing this reaction now, they should probably be on some kind of seizure medication by the time the 2008 elections have been been held. Regardless who gets in...the Bushies are not going to be granted the privilege of hiding behind the little emperor once he's out. The truth is going to send some people right over the edge. This is nonsense. This administration corrupted itself and betrayed an entire nation. There is no reason anyone not directly connected and part of the betrayals should feel responsible. We were all deceived by this bunch of kooks. Why anyone not personally involved would choose to make this a personal mission to defend any one of these band of bullies is beyond my understanding, but they need to avoid killing the messengers in the process.

[misha131]

Quite simply the death of a soldier is a fact. The report of that death should also contain facts. Who knew those facts and when they knew them are also facts. I fail to see how any of this enters the realm of deliberations that would require the protections of executive privilege. National Security considerations could bar access to mission details. There may be reasons for the witholding of some limited set of documents which can be identitied descriptively and claimed without divulging their deliberative contents. However documents related to the release of a false story about the incident or notice of the true details of the event that were not acted upon making the recipient complicit in the perpetuation the false story are at a minimum proper subjects of a Congressional investigation.

[willylou11]

You know what, it kind of bothers me that Cpl. Tillman's family has not been able to put him to rest properly and try to move on because they haven't gotten the truth yet. It irritates me to no end that we have a family grieving a loss, and Alfred E. Neuman sits in the oval office with that goofy looking smirk on his face doing what he has done since elected. Any time this administration has been faced with something like this where it was reported one way and actually happened another way, he just plays dumb like he had no idea. It was the same withe weapons of mass destruction. He went with the report that they were there and when that report was found to be erroneous, he just kind of pulled an I don't know and played it off. I'm sorry but as the leader of our country, I think it is his job and duty to know the facts and report as such. But that's just my opinion, and I have been wrong before.

[forthepeopl1]

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want," though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training.

OK THE WHAT IN THE HELL ARE WE STILL THERE, AS THE PRESIDENT HAS STATED ONCE AL-MALIKI TELLS US HE DOESN'T WANT US THERE WE WILL LEAVE.

ITS TIME FOR OUR SEN/REPS TO REMINDE HIM OF WHAT HE HAS STATED..NOW LETS GET THE F/U/C/K/ OUT OF THERE.

so how about looking up how many times this dirt bag of a president and his side kick cheney has told all america that if they say they dont need us than we will leave.

so how about it mr president you said many times we will leave if they dont need us. so how about it..

congress and all media should be pounding what he has stated on tv many many times..put this in his face all day and night

[jetranger7]

ITS "OFFICIAL": THOSE WHO SUPPORT BUSH & CHENEY, ARE NOTHING MORE THAN "FASCIST", THEY BELIEVE IN HITLERS REGIME AND TOTAL DICTATORSHIP, FOLLOWED UP BY MORE LIES AND SPIN TO DECIEVE THEIR OWN PEOPLE ! THE TRUTH IS SPLITTING AT THE SEAMS NOW! THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT ABOUT THIS IDIOT CALLED A PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT. THEY'RE CORRUPT, FRAUDULENT AND EXTREMELY ARROGRANT AND LIE OUT BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH EVERY CHANCE THEY GET ! BUSH/CHENEY COULDN'T RUN A LEMONADE STAND AND GET IT RIGHT. BOTH SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY IMPEACHED, INVESTIGATED AND SENT TO A FEDERAL PRISION FOR 50 YEARS ! ALONG WITH THE OTHER NEO-CONS WHO SUPPORT THEM ! REPUBLICAN IDIOTS AND 2 FACED LIARS, YOUR THRU! HEAR THAT FOX CABLE NEWS HANNITY, YOU ARROGRANT BUSH SUPPORTER !

[the74blaster]

Apparently this is just another story of how deceptive the Bush administration is. My heart goes out to the family of Pat Tillman.

As far as Bush administration goes, its time to do whats best for this country. Resign!

Our country simply cannot afford another 18 months of this adminstration.

[formrusmcsgt]

Another example of how this administration demonstrates repeatedly that it does what's good for the administration and its interests, rather than what's good for the country.

[micma-2009]

They were using the Tillman story as a part of their propaganda effort to promote their wars and they didn't want inconvenient facts to get out about how he really died.

[rushlimpdrug]

democrats, where are you?
is there so much love of the demos toward the repub that they have to play so nice while the country goes to helll?
I myself am getting impatient from only hearing talk.
they say a dog that barks doesn't bite.
c'mon demos do something about di(k chainazz and bush.

[fukgorgbush]

JETRANGER - you fu(king annoying a$$hole. This is another post of your where you type in all caps. It's rude, obnoxios and STUPID. You come off as a complete moron. Learn how to type like a grown up you idiot.

[misha131]

barbaraf4;

I believe Vice-Presidential appointments like many others require advice and consent of the Senate and it is unlikely President Bush wants Harriet Miers to appear at a Senate confirmation hearing. She would have to answer all those question for which he claims executive privilege.