Guess who appointed this judge:
A federal judge ruled Thursday that the government’s warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and ordered an immediate halt to it.
U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit became the first judge to strike down the National Security Agency’s program, which she says violates the rights to free speech and privacy as well as the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
“Plaintiffs have prevailed, and the public interest is clear, in this matter. It is the upholding of our Constitution,” Taylor wrote in her 43-page opinion.
The U.S. Justice Department appealed the ruling and issued a statement saying the program is “an essential tool for the intelligence community in the war on terror.”
“In the ongoing conflict with al-Qaida and its allies, the president has the primary duty under the Constitution to protect the American people,” the department said. “The Constitution gives the president the full authority necessary to carry out that solemn duty, and we believe the program is lawful and protects civil liberties.”
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of journalists, scholars and lawyers who say the program has made it difficult for them to do their jobs. They believe many of their overseas contacts are likely targets of the program, which involves wiretapping conversations between people in the U.S. and those in other countries.
The government argued that the program is well within the president’s authority, but said proving that would require revealing state secrets.
Carter! Of course! She campaigned for him and he rewarded her with a life-time appointment. This is why we can’t let the Democrats ever have that power again. They can’t be trusted to appoint judges who will understand that we are at war and that trumps everything.
“Public interest is clear,” yes it is and it’s too bad that she couldn’t see it. It’s in the public’s interest to be free from terrorism. Freedom means nothing if you are being bombed by a terrorist. These people are undermining our safety. She should be removed from the bench.
The terrorists have said that they will use our freedom against us and boy were they right. Our court system works against us every chance it gets.