NSA surveillance ruled unconstitutional — UNITED STATES | 世界のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2006年8月26日号（バックナンバー）

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UNITED STATES
NSA surveillance ruled unconstitutional

The Justice Department launched an appeal within hours of a federal judge's ruling that, for the first time, struck down U.S. President George W. Bush's warrantless domestic wiretapping program as unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge, Anna Diggs Taylor

U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor on Aug. 17 ordered a halt to the program, but the government said it would request a stay during the appeals process, arguing that the program is crucial to stopping terrorists.

Taylor found the National Security Agency surveillance program unconstitutional, and took the Bush administration to task, arguing it appeared to be saying the president had the "inherent power" to violate laws of Congress.

"There are no hereditary Kings in America and no powers not created by the Constitution," Taylor wrote in her 43-page opinion.

The lawsuit was filed in January 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 monitors international phone calls and e-mails to or from the U.S. involving people the government suspects have terrorist links.

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