Limbaugh and the Moussaoui Myths

Media Matters - Limbaugh repeated Moussaoui myth to wrongly criticize FISA judges:

"Limbaugh repeated Moussaoui myth to wrongly criticize FISA judges

Summary: Rush Limbaugh falsely claimed that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court prevented the FBI from accessing the laptop computer of Zacarias Moussaoui -- the alleged '20th hijacker' in the September 11, 2001, terrorist plot -- immediately prior to the attacks. In fact, the Moussaoui case never reached the FISA court.

Nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh falsely claimed that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (established by the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA) denied the FBI a warrant to access the laptop computer of Zacarias Moussaoui -- the alleged '20th hijacker' in the September 11, 2001, terrorist plot -- immediately prior to the attacks. Limbaugh asked: '[W]hy aren't some of these judges investigated and held to account for their secret decisions?'

In fact, the Moussaoui case never reached the FISA court: The FBI determined at the time that there was insufficient evidence to petition FISA for a warrant. A bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee later concluded the FBI did have sufficient evidence, but had set too high a standard for establishing probable cause."