Federal Judge Says President Can’t Authorize Surveillance Without FISA

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The chief federal judge for Northern California rejected a government claim that the president’s constitutional authority as commander in chief trumps the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which limits government surveillance of citizens. Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who is hearing more than 40 consolidated cases involving the secret surveillance authorized by President Bush, said FISA was the “exclusive” means under which federal agencies could eavesdrop on Americans. (7/3/08)