Despite Claims, a President Cannot Declassify Records
Federal investigators were inquiring into the identity of a clandestine CIA agent that had been revealed at the time.
but they also wanted to know more about how specific elements of a secret document worked.
Libby acknowledged to investigators that he "showed" a New York Times reporter portions of the Iraq document.
But he maintained that by giving authorization, former President George W. Bush "had already declassified" those sections.
It triggered a discussion in the public about how presidents should and may use their declassification authority.
McClellan answered, "The president is permitted to declassify information as he wishes," without going into further detail.
For the majority of government workers who request the declassification of information.
"There has to be evidence that a declassification order occurred," Greer said, adding that.