IU Professor Says Justice Dept. Upsetting Checks And Balances

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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - An Indiana University law professor has testified before Congress about the reported withholding of information from Congress and the American public by the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel.

Professor Dawn Johnsen, who, in the 90s, served in the office she now testifies against and, at one point, led it as Assistant Attorney General during the Clinton years, says the current activities by the OLC upset the checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of government.

The Office of Legal Counsel serves as the chief legal advisory office for the White House, and Johnsen contends that when they make a decision on whether or not a president's action is legal, like the now-infamous 2004 "Torture Memo," the Congress has a right to know.

Democratic Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold and Republican Kansas Senator Sam Brownback have both expressed interest in investigating the matter further.

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