Report: US domestic surveillance program began within weeks of 9/11 attacks

The warrantless wiretapping program initiated under the Bush administration began within a few weeks of 9/11, according to a report recently released to Congress and compiled by intelligence agencies, the Pentagon, and the DoJ:

The report, mandated by Congress, provides context to information that has been leaked in press accounts and buttressed by congressional testimony and in books authored by former officials involved in the surveillance effort.

The report notes that several members of Congress — including then-House Intelligence Committee Chairman Nancy Pelosi — were briefed on the program on October 25, 2001, and a total of 17 times before the program became public in 2005.

Among other things, the report also cites a Justice Department conclusion that "it was extraordinary and inappropriate that a single DOJ attorney, John Yoo, was relied upon to conduct the initial legal assessment of the (surveillance program)."

Domestic surveillance program began soon after 9/11, intelligence agencies say (CNN)

Hey, did we mention that Yoo is still employed at UC Berkeley?