Obama Administration Says President Can Use Lethal Force Against Americans on US Soil

[limpyhobbler]

152. They should say: "This authority does not apply unless the nation is experiencing an ongoing attack"

I think they might be claiming an overly broad authority. They should narrow it.

For example they could limit it to cases where the "nation is experiencing and ongoing attack", or something like that.

Actually Holder did give examples in the letter. Which is good. But the problem is they don't say examples of when such authority specifically does not apply. They should clearly say this authority only applies in the case of ongoing attack and no other case. For example they should say "This authority does not apply in any case where the nation is not experiencing an ongoing attack."

In other words, for the authority to have limits, we have to be clear on when the authority does not apply.

Realistically I don't expect Obama to do anything to limit the Presidency's power. Congress should pass a law restricting and clarifying the President's authority in these cases. Of course they won't. But good for Rand Paul for at least trying to do some oversight in this area.