doi:10.7916/bwzd-1a72Oral history interview with James Risen, 2020Risen, Jamesoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesJournalistsLeaks (Disclosure of information)--United StatesWiretapping--Law and legislation--United StatesWhistle blowing--United StatesTransparency in government--Government policy--United StatesOfficial secrets--United StatesRisen, JamesObama, BarackBush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-United States. Department of JusticeJames Risen discusses his career as a journalist focused on national security and intelligence, and tells the story of his investigation and prosecution by the Department of Justice (DOJ) from 2007 to 2015 for the publication of leaked classified information. Risen outlines the differences in the handling and prosecution of leaks by the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and provides details about the negotiations both within The New York Times and between the Bush administration and the paper surrounding the publication of his reporting on the National Security Agency's illegal wiretapping program and the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Operation Merlin. The DOJ's case against Risen focused on his reporting on Operation Merlin, which The Times did not publish, and which appeared instead in Risen's 2006 book "State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration." Risen recounts the events of his prosecution, and focuses on the Obama administration's escalation of proceedings under the leadership of Attorney General Eric Holder. Risen also comments generally on the Obama administration's national security policy, increased use of DOJ investigations of reporters compared to previous administrations, attitude towards journalists and the press, and lack of meaningful transparency