Bill Clinton is not the first president to abuse the power of his office. Others have skirted very close and may, in fact, have stepped over the line, but Bill Clinton is the first president to dance on the line and dare Congress to do something about it. Other presidents have toyed with the idea of using our federal agencies against political enemies, but Clinton is the first president caught in the act of misusing the FBI and the IRS.
Other presidents may have taken some illegal foreign campaign cash, but the Clinton- Gore re-election campaign did it repeatedly. At the same time, their administration conveniently overlooked evidence that China had stolen our missile technology and even paved the way for other sensitive transfers to make it easier for the Chinese to use that technology.
Where was Congress? With the exception of a brief moment in time when one of Clinton’s sexual escapades got so far out of hand it could not be ignored, Congress simply opined and went back to sleep. With each new revelation there were hearings, even a select committee. A number of special reports were filed. Some were overly broad in scope. Others purposely stopped short before any logical conclusions could be drawn. Those containing sufficient evidence to support articles of impeachment were allowed to gather dust.
Where was the media? Giving us gavel to gavel coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial, retracing the life of Princess Diana, following every lead in the death of Jon-Benet Ramsey and giving us details on the latest diet craze. However, the Clinton scandals were considered just too complicated, too “political” to deal with. When the scandals occasionally were mentioned on the nightly news, the mission clearly was not to investigate, but to obfuscate.
Also, let us not forget the role of the independent counsel. Attorney General Janet Reno threw Kenneth Starr a few bones, but chose to investigate the larger, more damning scandals herself, indicting a few small fish. Those with damning evidence against the president were either allowed to escape into thin air; charged with small, insignificant crimes or, worse still, not even interviewed at all.
At first glance, it appears that the elaborate system of checks and balances our forefathers established to protect the good citizens of this country failed, and that the most dishonest and corrupt man ever to occupy the White House, after eight years in office, is going to walk away, unscathed.
Clinton may, indeed, be able to finish his presidency, but thanks to the tireless efforts of one former Justice Department official, he likely will not be able to outrun the long arm of the law. In fact, it was Larry Klayman who first uncovered Chinese agent John Huang and sparked the investigation into Clinton’s campaign finance violations and the related technology transfers to Communist China.
Having worked with the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Larry Klayman could have had a comfortable life as a private attorney. However, from his vantage point in Washington, he was able to see that special influence had corrupted our system of justice and was now the controlling factor in the application of our laws. He became increasingly uncomfortable. Five years ago, Klayman could stand it no longer so he formed Judicial Watch to promote needed political and legal reform and to serve as a legal “watchdog” over our government and judicial systems.
Five years ago, Larry Klayman never could have imagined that by this time he would have had the resources or the stamina to have filed more than 40 cases against government and high-ranking officials in this administration for misconduct and violations of the public trust.
He never could have imagined that he would be Pubic Enemy No. 1 of the most powerful man and woman in America. He never could have imagined the pain involved of having to withstand the full force of a White House smear campaign. He never could have imagined the demands on his time, the pressure on his family or the drain on his resources. He never could have imagined the kind of support and adoration he has received from thousands of average citizens who consider him to be a shining light in a sea of darkness.
Thankfully, Larry Klayman persevered and the work of Judicial Watch is giving us an opportunity, again, to have a government that works the way our forefathers originally intended.
Happy fifth anniversary to Judicial Watch and congratulations to President Tom Fitton, the dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters who have made Larry Klayman the “People’s Independent Counsel.”
