Lawmakers ask Obama to detail drone policy
By JOSH GERSTEIN |
3/11/13 1:21 PM EDT
Eight Democratic lawmakers are urging President Barack Obama to declassify documents detailing the legal basis for his administration's use of drones, both against U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.
In a letter sent to Obama Monday, the lawmakers say they're "deeply concerned" about legal claims in a leaked Justice Department white paper that appear to be "overly broad."
"Every American has the right to know the underlying legal rationale that ensures due process," says the letter, organized by Rep. Barbara Lee of California and joined by the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers (D-Mich.)
"Authorizing the killing of American citizens and others has profound implications for our Constitution, the core values of our Nation, our national security and future international practice. The executive branch's claim of authority to deprive citizens of life, and to do so without explaining the legal bases for doing so, sets a dangerous precedent and is a model of behavior that the United States would not want other nations to emulate," the lawmakers write.
The letter, posted here, goes on to lay out several questions about the leaked policy, including how it is determined when capture of a terrorist suspect is "feasible" and how the term "imminent threat" is defined "in a way that strays significantly from its traditional legal meaning."
The other signers of the letter are Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Donna Edwards of Maryland, Mike Honda of California, Rush Holt of New Jersey and James McGovern of Massachusetts.
A White House spokeswoman had no specific comment on the new letter, but noted that Obama committed in his State of the Union address in January to work with Congress to make anti-terrorism programs more transparent.
"In the months ahead, I will continue to engage Congress to ensure not only that our targeting, detention and prosecution of terrorists remains consistent with our laws and system of checks and balances, but that our efforts are even more transparent to the American people and to the world," Obama said.
The letter came five days after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) drew international attention for a 13-hour speaking filibuster demanding assurances from the Obama administration that the government would not use drones to kill Americans on U.S. soil if they are not engaged in combat. Attorney General Eric Holder provided such an assurance on Thursday.
The attention demonstrates significant concern about the issue at both ends of the political spectrum. The extent of interest in the subject from moderate Democrats and Republicans remains to be seen.
CORRECTION (Monday, 1:35 P.M.): This post has been corrected to reflect Conyers's position as ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.
