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March 6, 2012

Holder Defends Killing of U.S. Citizens Overseas 
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Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday the president has the legal
authority to order the killing of U.S. citizens overseas if they have
ties to terrorist organizations. Holder's comments mark the first time
he has spoken publicly about targeted killings since a U.S. drone killed
the U.S. born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen and another U.S. citizen
five months ago.
bq. Eric Holder: "Some have argued that the President is required to get
permission from a federal court before taking action against a United
States citizen who is a senior operational leader of al-Qaeda or
associated forces. This is simply not accurate. ‘Due process’ and
‘judicial process’ are not one and the same, particularly when it
comes to national security. The Constitution guarantees due process, not
judicial process."



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