Wyden, senators ask president to release targeted killing memos
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon's Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, along with a group of fellow senators, sent an open letter to President Barack Obama on Monday, asking for the release of legal opinions that reportedly justify the killing of Americans suspected of terrorism.
"It is vitally important, however, for Congress and the American public to have a full understanding of how the executive branch interprets the limits and boundaries of this authority, so that Congress and the public can decide whether this authority has been properly defined, and whether the President's power to deliberately kill American citizens is subject to appropriate limitations and safeguards,” the 11 senators, three of whom were Republicans, wrote.
Three of those senators, including Wyden, sit on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing on Obama's choice for CIA director, John Brennan, Thursday at the U.S. Capitol.
Up to this point, Wyden has been mostly alone among elected officials in calling for the Obama administration's release of the legal opinions that it has kept from Congress.
In February 2012, Wyden wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder demanding to see the legal opinions. He has never received an official response; however, Holder and other administration officials, including Brennan, gave public speeches in which they outlined the administration's reasoning of when the president can order the killing of an American suspected of terrorism.
But Wyden said the speeches weren't enough, and a day after a KATU.com interview on the subject, he sent a similar letter to Brennan, again demanding Congress be given the legal opinions.
That was three weeks ago.
According to the Wyden press release that accompanied Monday's letter to the president, Brennan had not been forthcoming with the requested legal opinions.
The letter from the senators, which was also signed by Oregon's other senator, Democrat Jeff Merkley, appears to be an attempt to ratchet up the pressure on the administration to release the memos ahead of Brennan's confirmation hearing.
The controversy stems from the killings of American citizens, Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old son, Abdulrahman, and Samir Khan. Anwar and Samir were killed in the same September 2011 drone strike in Yemen even though they were never charged with a crime. Anwar's son was killed in a separate drone strike 200 miles away about two weeks later. It was reported that another militant was the target of that attack and a U.S. official said the U.S. government was unaware Anwar’s son was in the area of the strike.
In their letter to Obama, the senators did not explicitly threaten to block Brennan's nomination but implied there could be significant push-back.
"The executive branch's cooperation on this matter will help avoid an unnecessary confrontation that could affect the Senate's consideration of nominees for national security positions," the senators wrote.
Meanwhile, NBC News obtained an undated 16-page U.S. Justice Department memo (or white paper) on Monday that sheds more light on the legal justification for targeting Americans for death who are suspected of terrorism.
The memo notably expands the definition of "imminent threat" and says a killing "does not require the United States to have clear evidence that a specific attack on U.S. persons and interests will take place in the immediate future."
According to NBC, the memo was provided to members of the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary committees in June on the condition they would not discuss it publicly. It was not immediately clear Monday night whether Wyden was among those who received it.
Update: A Wyden spokesman later confirmed the senator received the memo in June 2012.
The memo, however, is not an official legal memo and is not one of the classified legal memos the administration has refused to provide to Congress or make public.
Senators signing the letter:
- Ron Wyden, D-Ore. (Select Committee on Intelligence)
- Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
- Mike Lee, R-Utah
- Mark Udall, D-Colo. (Select Committee on Intelligence)
- Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa
- Susan Collins, R-Maine (Select Committee on Intelligence)
- Dick Durbin, D-Ill
- Patrick Leahy, D-Vt
- Tom Udall, D-N.M.
- Mark Begich, D-Alaska
- Al Franken, D-Minn.
Gun laws under attack... How different is Obama or any other recent president from a classical definition of a tyrant....they have bypassed congress repeatedly with executive orders, as have all recent presidents. The government can tap your phone without cause or warrant (patriot act), you can be indefinitely detained with no trial and no access to an attorney (Obama), Try painting your house a color that is not on the "approved" list of choices... Rule of law does not exist if you are a New York banker, MF Global excellent example (CEO stole 1.2 billion and lost it...congressional response, nothing). Nations are moving their gold stored in the USA out to other "safer" locations. If you have a bank account off shore (Switzerland, etc...) and that bank does not disclose 100% of your activity to the IRS the government can confiscate ALL of that banks US assets - result, very very few international banks will do business with US citizens. We have a lot of open space, but look at how much of that space is under government restriction, or environmental control with regard to the common people..... New law passed the senate (awaiting house vote - hopefully The weak ass GOP will stand up to this) allows the IRS to deny you a passport if you owe a certain amount of money....where does this lead, yup applying to the government for permission to travel abroad (CCCP style) We once were land of the free but things are changing and if history is any guide we as a nation are in for some serious challenges since the majority now understands that they can vote themselves free stuff.... Two great quotes from Benjamin Franklin: They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty. When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. Look to the latter years of Rome...they understood....and their lesson is clearly in use today, "bread and circuses" - is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace.
How's things in New York, Ron ?
Ron's going to get droned
if he keeps publicly asking the Emperor for answers.
Â
Duck and cover, Ron.
"He has never received an official response; however, Holder and other administration officials, including Brennan, gave public speeches in which they outlined the administration's reasoning of when the president can order the killing of an American suspected of terrorism." Â (from the story)
Â
"Suspected of terrorism"..???  No charges brought, no evidence needed, no trial, etc???  And here, all these years, I thought we had something called "Due Process" in this country... ":innocent until proven guilty in a court of law"... When did we dispense with those  ?!?   And since when is our president considered to be a "court of law"..(read: judge, jury, and executioner all rolled up in one)..?  Â
I don't often agree with Ron Wyden, but I'd say we DEFINITELY need some solid answers on this situation...this is downright SCARY..! Â Â (I am, however, NOT holding my breath waiting for those answers.. I think what we'll end up getting ~ if we get anything at all ~ is just more of the same political fluff, smoke & mirrors that seems to be the main product coming out of Wash DC for the past few decades...)
 @margay1 People who are complaining about Obama being a dictator are ignoring when the patriot act came in. Wake up people! Neither major party have your interest in mind when they vote.
What is wrong with killing enemies of the USA in the enemy's war zone? Should an enema be prescribed instead?
 @jpk It's the part about them being US citizens that's the sticking point - due process and all that Constitutional stuff.Â
@Max Quinn @jpk By the way, Max, when it comes to the amendments regarding trial, etc., those rights are not limited to citizens. The Founding Fathers used words like people, person, etc. That way these rights are extended to all who fall under U.S. jurisdiction, not just citizens.
I believe the Founding Fathers were referring to those inalienable rights as they applied to the people in this startup country, not throughout the world at the time.Â
 @theprodigal  @jpk You are absolutely correct. It's a great thing about the Founders (and the folks who wrote the 14th Amendment) that they believed that they were describing human rights, not just American rights.
But, is a confirmed terrorist actively promoting terrorism against the USA still a citizen? Does someone who by his/her action actively intending to harm the country he allegedly has citizenship in still qualify as a citizen? I think not. When does citizenship end? I believe when someone is identified and then confirmed as a terrorist living outside of this country, then that terrorist is fair game. Â
 @Max Quinn Exactly...I can imagine going on vacation abroad and an intelligence officer makes the mistake of determining I'm a terrorist...what recourse do I have if I'm dead?
@jpk
Carrying out an act of terrorism is an act of war, and if you are caught doing so, citizen or not, you are deservedly in a world of trouble.
Â
But, to let the government label you a terrorist without so much as a warrant from a court is a dangerous thing. The government could read what we write here one day and decide we are in league with terrorists - and on your next trip abroad - booom!
Â
Max, I would argue that terrorism is an act of war, not only a crime. But when you attack this country from outside the country, and you have identified yourself with the aims of that other country, or in this case a religious belief that is contrary to what this country stands for, you have given up whatever rights you had while a resident and citizen of this country.
@jpk
Nope. Need to be careful about letting the government decide just when you lose your citizenship, especially if it's right before they decide to kill you.
Â
Terrorism is a crime - we don't lose citizenship because of crimes. We might deserve to, but you could argue the same for most murderers. We have a legal system that at the very least says that if you are a citizen then government can't just kill you.
Â
I cant believe I actually agree with something Wydan is doing.
This issue is reflective of the worst of easily the worst administration ever.
 @Jack_Bauer His defending an free and open internet is pretty tough to agree with. I get that.
Karl Rove is on Fox saying that this is a necessary program and similar to Bush-era policy, but that "the devil's in the details" and those aren't being released. Just thought I'd share.
 @Playanekes He is taking neither side at the moment. Rather he is questioning why the detractors of the Bush policy are giving Obama a pass on the issue.
Â
Let's see now.
Â
Record spending with no budget.
MANDATED "lower cost health care" which will cost a family of 5 a minimum of $20,000
"reasonable" gun control "for the children"
Litmus test for Generals: "Are you willing to fire on citizens"
Carte Blanche to kill U.S. citizens without due-process, "if they are deemed a threat"
Zero-accountability - Fast and Furious, Bhengazi, Voter fraud (in one side's favor), recess appointments ruled unconstitutional.
Â
We are on the short path to economic slavery (some have ALREADY been for generations), soon to be disarmed, and targeted for death if we are deemed a threat.Â
Â
Maybe they only teach revisionist history anymore in our public indoctrination institutions, but when are you people going to wake up??
@Conspirator "Litmus test for Generals: "Are you willing to fire on citizens"That HAPPENED!Also, DHS ordered seven thousand M-4/M-16 "personal defense weapons" this summer, but for reason they weren't available to help at the embassies. I'm no conspiracy theorist and skeptical of all of them, but, this is getting -strange.-.
This comment has been deleted
  @Conspirator The only reason you ain't crying is because this time it's your man.  Would you support The Constitution if it was Palin?
 @No_Conservitards Wasn't addressed to you.  No comment required.
 @Ken Beck  @Conspirator If Palin were to try to write something like the Constitution, I'd want a review of her sources. She claimed to see Russia from her house. I can see the end of her career from my computer screen.
 @No_Conservitards  @Conspirator Actually Karl Rove is defending the program on Fox right now. Doesn't really align with the typical leftist drivel to have The Evil One on Fox News defending the program. How does that FEEL? LOL!
 @Playanekes  @Conspirator Makes me wonder what he's up to. Certainly no good.
 @No_Conservitards  @Conspirator Lets see if I can write this at a low enough reading level for you to comprehend.
The consulates attacked during the Bush admin, were properly defended. The Benghzi consulate was naked of any kind of defense, after many requests for it. And then were ignored while under attack for 7 HOURS!
You are quite the stupid turd.
 @No_Conservitards  @Jack_Bauer  @Conspirator That's a nice "Crazy Joe" talking point - er, lie. Hillary Clinton herself said that cutting those budgets had nothing to do with more or less security.  Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
 @Jack_Bauer  @Conspirator Well, your level of Snark is more than enough to respond to, regardless of reading comprehension.
Do also remember that the Republicans Cut The Defense budgets for those consulates. it's like when the Bounty sailed with no marines on board to keep order, and everyone acted surprised when a mutiny happened.
 @No_Conservitards  @Conspirator Have a nice warm glass of shut the hell up.  You didn't truly respond to what Conspirator wrote, instead you spewed only vague accusations and talking points.  You sound like little crybabies.  Bush this, Bush that, Cheney this, turds, facists, nazi's, etc.  Really, it's been old for a long time.  It's like the race card - it's been used so much that it doesn't hardly have any meaning anymore.
 @dblshot  @No_Conservitards  @Conspirator not me doing it. Perhaps KATU has taken notice of us. be nice if there was a notice like This Comment Deleted by KATU instead of just deleted.
 @No_Conservitards  @Conspirator Then why are you deleting your comments?  Don't like it when people call you out.  You LOVE to dish it out, but are pretty quick to delete when someone calls B.S.At least I stand by what I say.
 @Playanekes  @dblshot  @Conspirator like a roach coming out in favor of RAID.
 @No_Conservitards  @dblshot  @Conspirator A Karl Rove more or less just gave it a thumbs up.  How does that feel?
 @dblshot  @Conspirator Are you surprised? Bush blamed Clinton. Obama blames Bush. If I am crying, it's the same tears that others have cried before me. and for more fun, Bush did have a guy he called Turdblossom. Obama has more class, and you can't stand it!
Maybe you didn't vote for Wyden, and maybe you don't care for some of his decisions. But, as American citizens, we should all support his efforts to question the judgment and legality that the executive branch has made in regards to this situation.
 @Morticae Morticae - as MY U.S. Senator it is critical information for us all to be made aware - did he vote for Obama last November - and if so, why?Â
Â
What has Wyden done to leverage the truth from Obama on anything. Domestically or foreign affairs wise? What has Wyden done to show proof he is on the job trying to resolve the FISCAL CRISIS he helped create - by overspending the monies of the federa tax payer every year he has been our state's U.S. Senator.Â
Â
How could Wyden endorse Obama for president a second time around- - with all of this unconsitutional DICTATORIAL American kill list frothing over - Obama is intent on pursuing?Â
Oregonians have a right to know - did Ron Wyden actually vote for Barack Obama for President in 2012?Â
 @englishdaisy Oh, I disagree. Under no circumstance should anyone be forced to reveal their vote at the polls. That's a very private moment and I don't feel anyone has the right to demand to know your vote. For someone who is concerned about privacy or rights, that is extremely hypocritical.
I'm not happy with the way that Obama seems to rule like a king, instead of staying within his parameters. The more that is coming out of the White House, the more that I get angry and scared for our kids!Â
 @washcomom You think the Mittard would be any better? Guess again!
 @No_Conservitards  @washcomom No conservitars - if Mitt Romney were in charge there would be a critical review of it all - is THAT what you are so progressively scared might have happened?Â
Â
After all - all that Mitt Romney touched when he was the leader of the State of Massachustts equated to solid leadership that HELPED the people of that state out.Not harmed them or took away any of their constitutional rights.Â
Â
You paranoid fear mongering dems doomed us all to four more years of a truly outrageously DICTATORIAL behaving train wreck. Don't blame any of us smart enough not to vote for Obama in 2012 - for the indefensible UNCONSTITUTIONAL dictatorial actions of Obama today.Â
 @FreedomRocks  @englishdaisy  @washcomom if we could only turn partisan bitching into electrical power, we'd have no shortage anywhere and the power companies would have to pay us..
 @englishdaisy  @No_Conservitards  @washcomom Well said and we know for a fact the main stream media which is owned by the democratic party will not print anything bad about Obama or dems in general but they would have kept any republican on the defense for 4 years had one been elected.
Â
Right now we have no checks and balance from the media which is why half the population does not understand just how bad Obama is for America and its future.
 @No_Conservitards Somebody is clueless.
 @Playanekes  @Ken Beck I find that most politics is like that.
 @No_Conservitards  @Ken Beck Wow, it's like senior year in high school all over again.
 @FreedomRocks  @Ken Beck Or, Calamity upon Calamity, thinks differently than you.
 @No_Conservitards  @Ken Beck Come on Mr Tard you really need to be able to come up with comebacks better then the average 2nd grader could if you are going to win any points for your side...Obama is brilliant politician who either knows nothing about how the real world works or is intentionally trying to destroy our country. Either way it is bad...
 @No_Conservitards  @Ken Beck they depend on you to keep segregating your selves by only two parties. this has nothing to do with whether you are a dem or rep. they are playing a game and i doubt that but only a few really think they are dem or rep. This is about american's against private agendas of money, power, and ego. the whole system is corrupt and everyone is getting the same info from either CNN, MSNBC, or FOX. They mostly get that info in between clips of what the fist lady wears or the useless crap that spill out her mouth and what star is banging who. there is a bigger picture that is starting to seep through and you are only hearing it because of the internet and the lack of control the government has on it.
 @Ken Beck Yeah, they are called Republicans.