
Entry 002Mar 12, 2013
“No, sir... Not wittingly. There are cases where they could inadvertently, perhaps, collect, but not wittingly.”2
2James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, open hearing, March 12, 2013. Source
Why it’s on the record. Three months later, the Snowden documents showed the NSA was collecting phone records on millions of Americans in bulk. Clapper wrote to the committee that his answer was 'clearly erroneous' and called it the 'least untruthful' answer he could give. He was never charged.
On the record
Sen. Ron Wyden had sent the question a day ahead and asked for a yes or no. The DNI said no.
- Said by
- James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence
- Where
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, open hearing (sworn testimony)
- When
- Mar 12, 2013
- Source
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, open hearing (sworn testimony), March 12, 2013