Matt LeMieux

15 December 2008

Presidential Power and the War on Terrorism

What are the limits of Presidential power? The Bush Administration's "war on terrorism" has sought to push the limits of presidential power, and was doing so rather successfully until the Supreme Court started reviewing the question a few years ago. The Administration has now lost three of four cases before the Court concerning their anti-terrorism policies, all of which they say stem from the power of the President. Might the Administration be heading for it's fourth defeat? The Court has decided to grant review in a case dealing with a terrorist suspect who was seized in the United States and has been held in custody for six years without any hint of criminal charges being filed. In short, the question is whether the President can designate someone not picked up on the battlefield as an enemy combatant and detain that person indefinitely. McClathy news service has more on the case.