Glenn Greenwald Interview: Obama Declares Defense Of Marriage Act Unconstitutional!

[democracy1st]

Run time: 07:48 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNLRUqGpRZo   Posted on YouTube: February 24, 2011 By YouTube Member: MOXNEWSd0tCOM Views on YouTube: 42   Posted on DU: February 24, 2011 By DU Member: democracy1st Views on DU: 607

 
The Obama Justice Department has decided that part of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and will not defend the 1996 law forbidding the government from recognizing same-sex marriage in federal court.

"After careful consideration, including a review of my recommendation, the President has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

"The President has also concluded that Section 3 of DOMA, as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet that standard and is therefore unconstitutional," Holder said. "Given that conclusion, the President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the President's determination."

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters in a briefing on Wednesday afternoon that they'd "will no longer defend DOMA going forward."

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/obama_doj_say_part_of_doma_is_unconstitutional_will_not_defend_it_in_court.php