The issue focused largely on a group of powerful national security leaders, including former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who have consulted about hacking capabilities for the government but have not discussed this classified matter at any political level, the Justice Department said in court filings Friday. The officials did not identify their political party.


The case comes as President Barack Obama sought to open a debate on national security issues and before Congress returns from its August recess.


The Justice Department said lawyers for the federal government failed to turn over documents