The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights have brought suit against the Obama administration for ordering the targeted killing of American-born al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki, who is believed to be holed up in Yemen. These groups argue that the president doesn't have the legal authority to order the assassination of American citizens. That's right, so in order for the kill order to stand, Awlaki should be stripped of his citizenship.
President Obama has exceeded his power in ordering Awlaki's assassination. Americans abroad are protected by constitutional guarantees of due process, at least when faced with U.S. government action. The implications of Mr. Obama having the legal authority to place American citizens abroad on a government hit list are too alarming to contemplate. If the precedent of unilaterally targeting Awlaki without due process stands, then anyone could go on the list.
Awlaki would no longer have constitutional protections if he lost his citizenship. In 1940, Congress passed legislation that established a number of statutory "expatriating acts," which automatically voided American citizenship if undertaken voluntarily. These included taking an oath to a foreign power, serving in the military of a country at war with the United States, or committing treason. The intent of Congress was to make clear that some actions were by their nature fatal to being an American.
More from the Washington Times
President Obama has exceeded his power in ordering Awlaki's assassination. Americans abroad are protected by constitutional guarantees of due process, at least when faced with U.S. government action. The implications of Mr. Obama having the legal authority to place American citizens abroad on a government hit list are too alarming to contemplate. If the precedent of unilaterally targeting Awlaki without due process stands, then anyone could go on the list.
Awlaki would no longer have constitutional protections if he lost his citizenship. In 1940, Congress passed legislation that established a number of statutory "expatriating acts," which automatically voided American citizenship if undertaken voluntarily. These included taking an oath to a foreign power, serving in the military of a country at war with the United States, or committing treason. The intent of Congress was to make clear that some actions were by their nature fatal to being an American.
More from the Washington Times
2 comments:
If he wants to assassinate someone it should be Pelosi. No one would complain.
or himself!
Post a Comment