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Subscribe to RSSAndrea Mitchell talks with Rachel Maddow about the breaking news that the Department of Justice, with the confirmation hearing for John Brennan to head the CIA looming, will share their legal reasoning for extrajudicial targeting of Americans with drone strikes with the intelligence committees in Congress.
Updated at 9:44 p.m. ET -- Reversing its course, the White House will now brief members of Congress on the legal justifications for drone strikes against U.S. citizens, an administration official said Wednesday night.
"Today, as part of the president's ongoing commitment to consult with Congress on national security matters, the president directed the Department of Justice to provide the congressional intelligence committees access to classified Office of Legal Counsel advice related to the subject of the Department of Justice White Paper," the official said.
The Justice Department paper, first obtained by NBC News, concluded that the United States can legally order the killing of American citizens believed to be al-Qaida leaders.
Until Wednesday, the administration would not even confirm these memos existed.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement Wednesday night she was pleased with the White House's decision.
"I am pleased that the president has agreed to provide the Intelligence Committee with access to the OLC opinion regarding the use of lethal force in counterterrorism operations. It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations," Feinstein's statement read.
Earlier Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama was engaged in an internal process deliberation to determine how to balance the nation's security needs with its values. He said Obama was committed to providing more information to Congress, even as he refused to acknowledge whether the drone memo even existed.
"He thinks that it is legitimate to ask questions about how we prosecute the war against al-Qaida," Carney said. "These are questions that will be with us long after he is president and long after the people who are in the seats that they're in now have left the scene."
Some legal experts warned that the secret memo threatened constitutional rights and dangerously expanded the definition of national self-defense and of what constitutes an imminent attack.
The administration’s decision to give the memo to the congressional intelligence committees comes a day before the Senate confirmation hearing Thursday for John Brennan, President Barack Obama’s pick to lead the CIA. Brennan was an architect of the administration’s controversial escalation of drone strikes to take out suspected militants.
Members of Congress have expressed serious reservations about the memo. On Wednesday, Rep. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC News Radio that the memo “doesn’t answer the central questions” revolving around an important policy decision: "When does the government have the legal right to kill an American?"
"The administration has essentially been stonewalling the committee and myself and others for over two years by not actually making that memo available with someone willing to answer questions about it," Wyden said.
Related:
Wyden vows to 'pull out all the stops' to get 'actual legal analysis' on drones
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And just where did the supporters of the 2003 declaration of the United States war on terror think their war would take them?
The traitor gave up his country right along with his father that died in a strike two weeks prior. He got exactly what he deserved. Lest you sympathisers of the traitor, his father and his friend that all were killed along with their Al Quaida associates, we are at war and the President has every legal and constitutional right to make choices including the choice to order a strike on foreign militants. Let it be a message to any and all american traitors. You betray america and support the terrorist, then you are a terrorist and we have a drone to send you home.
I think they can not read so no problem. Please retire or resign is what they should do!!!
You like to have some updated Obama-Drone NEWS???
Read on:
Well, as Egypt is gradually coming to the US, the OBAMADRONES are coming as well........since HIS Majesty will chase every American-Terrorist abroad or home...............coming soon in your neighborhood.
Fisty doesn't comment on articles that are not in Barry's favor.
Or those that do not bash republicans...
All of these members of the Senate Intelligence Committee had knowledge of this memo for over a year.. and remained silent.
A testament to the further degradation of American Society.
MajorityMinority
Ex officio
If you do not have a need to know, you don't get to know.
Freedom of information is a joke.
That is why some of us were cleared for top secret.
The president is a nobody.
There is a council that is in office forever that makes decisions.
You can say that Obama killed Bin Laden all day long.
He did not.
Your elected officials in office did this.
It is the Star Chamber that does this and helped Obama refurbish and re-paint Guantanamo.
Keep in mind, a presidnet is not elected.
But by popular vote, everyone else is.
bombs away you terrorist , see ya all be safe , the key word is ,, terrorist, go join them and see if you dont see a drone in your future,
I love all this false indignation we're hearing from the right. You clowns could care less about those traitorous Americans. You just want another excuse to snivel about PRESIDENT Obama. Just another reason to parade your pathological hatred around the block.
It's almost comical reading your little diatribes. It's also sad because you're just grasping at straws. Nobody is ever going to take you seriously because everybody knows where this is coming from. You all were fine when Bush and Cheney were trampling all over the Constitution but now you have issues, even though none of our troops are being placed in harms way. Gee, I wonder why that is. I wonder... You people are a sad, obscene joke, nothing more.
And when you sleep and snore, you sound like a sheep.
And you are a special kind of dumb ass. Now pull your head from it.
viewer ready
Blah, blah, blah...I just hate that President. He won't kiss my a$$ like I want him to. Whine, whine, snivel, snivel.
I don't think he cares what you think. I know most of us don't.
When foreign powers have their own drones, and want to kill their " problems " who are living in the US, I wonder what you and your ilk will think of a drone in your neighborhood ?
Not too happy, I assume ?
Dennis Price
I totally agree with you. One hears nothing but how Obama is in cohorts with his Muslim brothers because he does want to go and flatten a country because they are "savage, camel humping, scum of the earth, pedophile, etc..."sub-humans who love to kill. Now all of a sudden, he is anti-American because he will stop an American who commits treason and joins with a terrorist group to promote the killing of all Americans, he is now attacking his own citizens. Come on; you can't have it both ways.Did any of the complain when Osama bin Laden was killed without a fair trial? Once someone aligns themselves with a terrorist organization that is targeting all Americans, they also have shown that they do not want to live by the laws of this country. I, for one, detest the drone strikes because so many innocent people get killed as part of the collateral damage, but you can't condone the act when it happens to other people, and then feign horror when people who were born American citizens are taken out for doing the same thing. Such hypocrisy; it all stems from the fact that many of you will attack Obama no matter what. Damned if he does; damned if he doesn't.
Anyone (I will say this once more) who betrays their own country and LEAVES the US to wage war against the US has lost all rights.
And should be killed if he or she cannot be captrured, tried and made an exapmle of.
Jane Fonda should have had a drone shoved up her ass years ago.
But due process needs to be observed. She should have been tried in court for treason and then shot by a firing squad. Why waste a drone?
The terrorist obama has once again ignored the Constitution he swore to uphold. Now he can murder American citizens with no proof, no trial, just a wave of his hand, and get away with it. This monster must be stopped anyway we can do it. I suggest arresting him for treason.
But it was OK when your guy Bush did it. You are pathetic, at best. We get it and it isn't pretty. Your hatred is palpable.
Just keep sniveling away. Nobody cares.
It has been done for centuries.
Now, we have the "media" to make us feel guilty about doing what we know is right.
And bush had the patriot act,,,
In 10 more years, maybe The U.S. Constitution will only be something kids read about. Or maybe not, most likely all books that contain anything on it will be burned by then.
And The Bush Doctrine don't forget that!
Unfortunately future generations of the exec branch will also have it and that's why the Barry haters are so scared! Imagine the next guy!
If the terrorist are NOT US citizens in other countries, we must treat them with respect and offer them constitutional protection. We must NOT torture them. No water boarding, of course. We would offer them lawyers and prosecute them in civilian court. It is much simpler if the suspected terrorist is a US citizen. There is no need to proof anything. No trial needed. We can kill them right away. They are JUST US citizens. Who care?
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says there was no effort by the Obama administration to conceal its view that it is appropriate to target and kill Americans who are members of terrorist outfits overseas.
In a statement this morning, Feinstein said that the Department of Justice briefed her committee about its actions last summer. She added that now that the DOJ memo explaining the legality of its actions is available to the public, “the American people can review and judge the legality of these operations.”
“The administration has also described its legal analysis in speeches by the Attorney General and several senior officials during the past two years,” Feinstein said.
Feinstein also seemed to back up the White House’s assertion that it did no wrong by going after al-Awlaki, saying that he was “actively plotting and recruiting others to kill Americans until the time of his death in Yemen.”
Following controversy over its purchase of around 1.2 billion bullets in the last six months alone, the Department of Homeland Security has put out a new solicitation for over 200 million more rounds of ammunition, some of which are designated to be used by snipers.
Amuk,
If there are treasonous Americans in Gitmo, then by all means, kill them!
Kill them with all the other Muslim scum.
Wouldn't you agree?
When President Obama inked his name to the Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions Executive Order on July 6, he authorized the US Department of Homeland Security to take control of the country’s wired and wireless communications — including the Internet — in instances of emergency. The signing was accompanied with little to no acknowledgment outside of the White House, but initial reports on the order quickly caused the public to speak out over what some equated to creating an Oval Office kill switch for the Web. Now the Obama administration is addressing those complaints by calling the Executive Order a necessary implement for America’s national security.
This is exactly why we have the second amendment, and why we need it more than ever. The government wants to drone it's own citizens without a trial and without proof there have been any treasonous acts committed. And, in California, they can now just break into your house and take your guns. Without a warrant but with the guise of possible mental illness. I can see another Ruby ridge coming in CA. Californians should be moving to Nevada and Texas in droves. Wright your congress and insist they put a stop to droning US citizens.
34 reasons I believe oboma is a muslim
google it
Can't defend your home with an AR15, but Barry can go around the country shooting drones.
I guess flying assault weapons are acceptable.
You know if he does decide to drone your azz your AR isn't gonna help. Let us know if he does! I'll come get your AR. Damn things are expensive now!
I'll be the judge of that.
;^)
In 10 more years, this will all be moot. It will be against the law to own a copy of The U.S. Constitution and having one in your possession will mark you as a terrorist and bring down the full might of the government against you. Even just being suspected of owning a copy will justify your death.
Amazing ...the righties would rather see more dead Americans and more dead civilians ..invade the countries where the terrorists are with boots on the ground that's the ticket ..and drag out the constitution to justify that ...
I'd say have a pleasant evening ..but with all the rabid froth dripping out here that'll never happen
but Ciao anyway
Is your shift over, Amuk?
Is anyone really surprised by this? The government does what it wants, when it wants. Gun control isnt about guns, its about what you can do when drones start flying over your house because youve been labeled a threat or some other bogus charge. This needs to stop and now
When George Bush did the same thing, he was "protecting American lives." When Obama does it, it becomes Armageddon and the start of a civil war. Hate is beautiful thing to watch...
So you were just cool with GW doing it, right Sacred?
If you are not a terrorist, don't worry about it.
Jane should be water boarded and fed to hogs.
The problem is, what is Obama's definition of a terrorist?
The fat hog Naplitano wanted to label all of our brave returning vets, as possible terrorists.
What a slap in the face!
Roach I agree with you on this one. That is one hell of a thing to do to our soldiers. Just awful.
Green,
At the same time she (and her boss) wanted to target our returning vets, she also said she didn't like the use of the word terrorist, because it offended the terrorists.
So, she (and her boss) can spit in the face of our troops, but be touchy feely with the real enemy.
During an interview with the Wall Street Journal posted on January 30, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said “anti-government people” espousing what amounts to a “Confederate ideology” will engage in terrorist activities unless the government enacts draconian laws restricting the possession of firearms.
Jackson said the Second Amendment provides these domestic terrorists with the ability to “do something about how they feel” in their effort to “fight the government.”
Sounds like the whole reason we have the Second Amendment in the first place....
Since Jesse Jackass thinks that restricting firearms is a good idea, perhaps he would like to come to my place and try to restrict mine (without the half dozen bodyguards this POS has following him around) as a test case.
Jackson should shut his illiterate Pie hole, along with Sharp-ton they are real threats to society and those they claim to represent,Everyone should distance themselves from all their lies and hate mongering,Race baiting BS...What a joke they are,Hell you can't understand most of what they say,It's pathetic,but the left give them the soap box and the Media eats whatever they say,and gives them the attention they crave,disgusting.
The New Normal
You are seeing it over and over again. The new normal, school shooting, children killing parents, people just snapping. Parents abusing and killing their children. But everyone just tosses up their hands in un-belief and some say O My God, or how could God let this happen. Well, I’m not sure why your bringing God into it, America has been trying to kick God out for years. You have kicked God out of our schools, government building, ect. And now that God has left and let hell run its course you blame it on God?
Hell has done its job well. Hell has flooded our media with evil and when I say evil I’m talking about evil on steroids. Hell has made it fun to enjoy for the whole family. Hell has flooded the TV, our movies, our video game, you name it and it’s there. We have also became a country of pill poppers, they have made a pill for everything to give to our youngest to our oldest because it’s easy. Just take a look at the side effects and some say right there in black and white may cause depression, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies, oh and let’s not forget this one and sometimes death. What happened doctors, don’t you remember what you promised? You oath, do no harm, sounds a bit like doing harm to me.
You know when I was a boy we didn’t have all this violence. But we didn’t have Hell crammed in 24/7. You can tune into hell full HD just by the push of a button, but when I say you I mean your kids. Your kids submerge themselves into their killing spree HD on the big screen and pop the ADD or whatever kind of pill. And you have the gall to wonder why we have all the killing? That’s all our kids know, they are flooded with it you fools, but this is what you get by saying if you don’t want to watch it you can turn it off. You were stupid the first time you said it and you stupid now because you will not put a stop to it. You are going to continue to allow the so called media makers to keep flooding our TV, movies, games with the most vile thing the mind can come up with and say it’s ok and not obscene because it’s not showing nudity.
You know, in war times they brain wash someone by drugging them and flood there mind with whatever they want in the enemies brain to make them do or kill anyone that person can get close too. You’re allowing them to do that to your kids and you’re paying them to do it.
Did you know a 1 minute commercial during the Super Bowl cost 3.5 million dollars and they have the nerve to say a little bit of TV or entertainment never hurt anybody. Did you know they have to sell 3 times as much stuff to just break even to the cost? They are banking 3.5 million dollars on 1 minute of time will influence Americans enough to buy 10.5 million dollars worth of stuff from that 1 minute ad on TV. Do you still believe a little bit of TV doesn’t bother you or your kids, a little bit of violence, a little bit of sex, a little bit of people doing drugs, a little bit of rape, a little bit of murder.
If you don’t get a clue and figure out what is really causing our issues by what I’m telling you and stop them from allowing this rot into your kids mind, you have just seen a small amount of what is to come. America is rotting from the inside. You can stop the madness. There is only 1 way, but America will never allow it or believe it because they would rather rot and have its entertainment filth. God is real, this was once a nation under God but now it is not, it’s a nation of our kids thinking we came from monkeys which is being taught to them in our schools.
There are only 2 directions for our country to go, the way it is now and will become worse then you have ever seen or the way it used to be which is old fashion and behind the times. The new normal with your faith in man leading you to your doom as you see it happening before your very eyes or faith in God leading to salvation as our four fathers setup at our countries birth, remember, 1 nation under God.
You know, when I was a kid we didn’t have this kind of problem, and I know why.
Oh please where do you go to church westboro? There is allot of bad things that happen, some because there are more people therefor more nuts, and some because the media don't make money covering stories about the good.
The answer is not following anything blindly. God is not going to come here and run stuff yet. So that leaves you blindly following someone telling you God's opinion. And just like everything else power corrupts blindly following a church gave us allot of evil as well. For example the Catholics brought us oldies but goodies like the crusades and the inquisition. I know i know that was years ago, So how about the church hiding pedophiles to save face.
And don't give me the founding fathers made the USA in god's image. Some how i doubt Jesus would be ok with owning slaves, or sleeping with said slaves instead of your wife. If they meant this country to be a Christian country they would have made it our national religion. But someone else deciding which religion is "the right one" is exactly why they left Europe. There are nearly 34,000 forms of Christianity, all with big enough differences between them that they felt the need to make a new type. It is all well and good to say we need to return to God but which, and I assume you will just accept whichever one the majority picks and give up your own then?
Wait, What ?!?!?
"Today, as part of the president's ongoing commitment to consult with Congress on national security matters, the president directed the Department of Justice to provide the congressional intelligence committees access to classified Office of Legal Counsel advice related to the subject of the Department of Justice White Paper," the official said.
Then, a paragraph later:
"Until Wednesday, the administration would not even confirm these memos existed."
MSNBC continues to make my head spin.
LOL no thats not MSNBC that is what they really said. It gets even better the document leaked before they were even willing to admit it existed.