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Attorney Quote by Jamie Gorelick

“The Department of Justice believes, and the case law supports, that the president has inherent authority to conduct warrantless physical searches for foreign intelligence purposes, and that the president may, as has been done, delegate this authority to the attorney general. It's important to…” quote by Jamie Gorelick
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“The Department of Justice believes, and the case law supports, that the president has inherent authority to conduct warrantless physical searches for foreign intelligence purposes, and that the president may, as has been done, delegate this authority to the attorney general. It's important to understand, senators, that the rules and the methodology for criminal searches are inconsistent with the collection of foreign intelligence and would unduly frustrate the president in carrying out his foreign intelligence responsibilities.”

Jamie Gorelick

About This Quote

Source Speech: Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, 2002

The president can law authorize warrantless foreign intelligence searches, a power distinct from criminal search rules, and can delegate it to the attorney general.

In simple terms: President may conduct warrantless foreign intelligence searches and delegate authority.

Key Takeaway

Recognize distinct legal standards for intelligence vs. criminal searches.

Themes

authority law government intelligence delegation presidential power

Mood

serious analytical authoritative

Type

Attorney:1 Attorney general:1 Authority:1 Believe:0 Cases:0 Collections:0 Criminals:0 Delegates:0 Department:0 Done:0 Has beens:0 Important:0 Inconsistent:0 Inherent:0 Justice:0 Law:0 May:0 Methodology:0 President:1 Purpose:0 Responsibility:0 Senators:0 Support:0 Department Justice:0 Purposes President:0 Criminal Searches:0 Intelligence Purposes:0 Intelligence Responsibilities:0

When to use this quote

  • senate hearings
  • policy making
  • legal analysis
  • executive decisions
  • intelligence gathering

Key Concepts

constitutional law executive authority national security

Questions to Reflect On

  • How should oversight address this authority?
  • What safeguards protect privacy?
A Different Perspective

Delegation may blur accountability and raise civil liberty concerns.

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