Bob Beckel, the liberal voice on Fox News’ daily political commentary show, “The Five,” issued a scathing criticism Thursday evening of the White House and the National Security Agency’s secret grab of Americans’ phone records.
He made the comments after co-host Dana Perino read a New York Times’ editorial that slammed the White House as losing all credibility and asked Mr. Beckel if he thought the issue was really that serious.
“I think it is one of the most outrageous examples of the stepping on the Constitution I’ve heard. They have no right to the phone records. … It is illegal, it is unconstitutional, and it is deplorable. I didn’t like it when they did it during the Bush administration, and I don’t like when they’re doing it now,” Mr. Beckel said on the broadcast.
“They have taken this Patriot Act, which I think was the most dangerous act passed, and they have taken it and abused it,” he continued. “You talk about fascism? You’re getting damn close to it.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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