DOJ drops investigation of NSA whistleblower Thomas Tamm

In 2005, Thomas Tamm worked for the Justice Department’s Office of Intelligence Policy and Review. He leaked information to the New York Times that exposed how the National Security Agency (NSA) was conducting illegal wiretaps. In 2008, Sam Dratch urged here against prosecution of Tamm.  Numerous news sources are reporting this week that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided to close its investigation of Tamm without filing any charges. The Daily Beast is also reporting that DOJ has apparently dropped its investigation of NSA whistleblower Russell Tice. In both cases, this is good news for the whistleblowers, and good news for American citizens who believe in the public’s right to know when their government officials violate the law.