"These inherent authorities vested in the President by the Constitution include the power to spy on enemies like al Qaeda without prior approval from other branches of government."-Gonzales before the Judiciary committee
2/6Just how far down the chain of command does Bush's blanket authorization of the warrentless spying of Americans extend?
Who decides whether actions taken by the president's agents actually fall within his 'authorization'?
What body independent of the Executive offices of the Justice Dept. determine if their actions are consistent with the law, or even the authority that the administration claims they are observing?
If the White House does not make its actions subject to full and open review to Congress, and if Congress doesn't effectively exercise that oversight, there cannot be any reasonable expectation that the Executive branch and its agents will adhere to the laws that Congress passes. Any law.
The White House is set to declare themselves the ultimate and legitimate arbiter, interpreter, and executor of whatever they aspire to. If Congress does not execute an effective check on this manufactured authority they will find themselves confronted in the future with their own dereliction of duty - presented as precedent - as a power hungry administration justifies the next round of additions to, and interpretations of, congressionally adopted law.
It's just a matter of time before they trot out another law they claim Bush has the 'inherent power' to disregard, interpret, or create additions to. They need to step up and put Bush back in his 'inherent' place.