What‘s been really odd is that the story as to why Clapper lied seems to keep changing. When questioned about this, Clapper‘s initial response was that he thought that Wyden was asking about collection of email information, which is clearly not the case if you just listen to the actual question. Wyden, pretty clearly, says „any type of data at all.“ About a week later, Clapper changed his story, saying that he believed the question was an unfair „loaded question“ (he compared it to the „when did you stop beating your wife“ type of question — even though it‘s not that at all) and then said that he gave „the least untruthful answer.“

This didn‘t make much sense either — and it made even less sense when Senator Wyden revealed that he didn‘t just spring this question on Clapper, but had sent it to Clapper‘s office a day ahead so he could review the question and be aware of what he was to be asked. On top of that, Wyden revealed that after Clapper‘s answer — which Wyden knew was false — Wyden staffers sent a letter to Clapper asking him if he wanted to amend his answer, and Clapper‘s office refused to do so.

Finally, about a month later, Clapper finally admitted that he lied, now claiming that it was all a „mistake.“

„mistakes will happen, and when I make one, I correct it.“