NSA releases Edward Snowden e-mail exchange – CNN.com

From Shimon Prokupecz, CNN

updated 10:13 AM EDT, Fri May 30, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- The NSA has released an e-mail exchange between Edward Snowden and the agency's general counsel's office, countering a claim the former contractor made in an interview this week.

Speaking to NBC News in an interview that aired Wednesday, Snowden claimed that he'd reached out to the office while working as an National Security Agency contractor to report what he saw as an abuse of power by the agency.

"I reported that there were real problems with the way the NSA was interpreting its legal authorities," he told NBC's Brian Williams.

In the e-mail exchange released by the NSA Thursday, Snowden requests clarification about training material he'd received, asking whether executive orders can override federal laws.

The general counsel's office responded to Snowden's e-mail, saying that executive orders have the "force and effect of law" but cannot override a statute.

"Please give me a call if you would like to discuss further," the e-mail concludes.

In his interview with NBC, Snowden said that after raising concerns, he essentially was told to "stop asking questions."

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NSA releases Edward Snowden e-mail exchange - CNN.com