Critics argue that the government cannot reasonably expect to exploit details of these programs for political reasons on the one hand and then deny they exist when the legality of the same programs are challenged in court.
Jun 21, 2012
Citing national security concerns, the Obama administration on Wednesday rejected requests by the ACLU and the New York Times for documents relating to the US military's drone and targeted killing campaigns.
In court documents filed late Wednesday -- in accordance with a deadline set by a New York federal court - the administration argued the information requested was "highly classified," despite the fact that details of the programs have been leaked to the media. Critics argue that the government cannot reasonably expect to exploit details of these programs for political reasons on the one hand and then deny they exist when the legality of the same programs are challenged in court.
In response to the government's court action, ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jameel Jaffer said Thursday: "The notion that the CIA's targeted killing program is still a secret is beyond absurd. Senior officials have discussed it, both on the record and off."
The notion that the CIA's targeted killing program is still a secret is beyond absurd. Senior officials have discussed it, both on the record and off." --Jameel Jaffer, ACLU
The ACLU's Jaffer said, "The public is entitled to know more about the legal authority the administration is claiming and the way that the administration is using it."
"We continue to have profound concerns with the power the administration is claiming and with the proposition that the president should be permitted to exercise this power without oversight by the courts," Jaffer said.
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today! |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Citing national security concerns, the Obama administration on Wednesday rejected requests by the ACLU and the New York Times for documents relating to the US military's drone and targeted killing campaigns.
In court documents filed late Wednesday -- in accordance with a deadline set by a New York federal court - the administration argued the information requested was "highly classified," despite the fact that details of the programs have been leaked to the media. Critics argue that the government cannot reasonably expect to exploit details of these programs for political reasons on the one hand and then deny they exist when the legality of the same programs are challenged in court.
In response to the government's court action, ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jameel Jaffer said Thursday: "The notion that the CIA's targeted killing program is still a secret is beyond absurd. Senior officials have discussed it, both on the record and off."
The notion that the CIA's targeted killing program is still a secret is beyond absurd. Senior officials have discussed it, both on the record and off." --Jameel Jaffer, ACLU
The ACLU's Jaffer said, "The public is entitled to know more about the legal authority the administration is claiming and the way that the administration is using it."
"We continue to have profound concerns with the power the administration is claiming and with the proposition that the president should be permitted to exercise this power without oversight by the courts," Jaffer said.
Citing national security concerns, the Obama administration on Wednesday rejected requests by the ACLU and the New York Times for documents relating to the US military's drone and targeted killing campaigns.
In court documents filed late Wednesday -- in accordance with a deadline set by a New York federal court - the administration argued the information requested was "highly classified," despite the fact that details of the programs have been leaked to the media. Critics argue that the government cannot reasonably expect to exploit details of these programs for political reasons on the one hand and then deny they exist when the legality of the same programs are challenged in court.
In response to the government's court action, ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jameel Jaffer said Thursday: "The notion that the CIA's targeted killing program is still a secret is beyond absurd. Senior officials have discussed it, both on the record and off."
The notion that the CIA's targeted killing program is still a secret is beyond absurd. Senior officials have discussed it, both on the record and off." --Jameel Jaffer, ACLU
The ACLU's Jaffer said, "The public is entitled to know more about the legal authority the administration is claiming and the way that the administration is using it."
"We continue to have profound concerns with the power the administration is claiming and with the proposition that the president should be permitted to exercise this power without oversight by the courts," Jaffer said.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.