Reyes, Hoekstra 'stunned' By DOJ Blockage Of CIA Video Probe

Reps. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) and Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), the chairman and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, have released the following statement after being informed that the Justice Department has ordered the CIA not to cooperate with the panel's investigation into the destruction of interrogation videos of captured al Qaeda terrorists:

“Just two days ago, CIA Director Michael Hayden appeared before our Committee to address the CIA’s destruction of videotapes. In that hearing, he committed to providing materials relevant to our investigation. Earlier today, our staff was notified that the Department of Justice has advised CIA not cooperate with our investigation.

“We are stunned that the Justice Department would move to block our investigation. Parallel investigations occur all of the time, and there is no basis upon which the Attorney General can stand in the way of our work.

“We strongly urge General Hayden to comply with our Committee’s bipartisan request to produce documents and to make available John Rizzo and Jose Rodriguez for testimony next week. We will use all the tools available to Congress, including subpoenas, to obtain this information and this testimony.

“It’s clear that there’s more to this story than we have been told, and it is unfortunate that we are being prevented from learning the facts. The Executive Branch can’t be trusted to oversee itself. Congress must conduct its own investigation.”