Reply #53: Alito Urged Wiretap Immunity

[SkiGuy]

By Jo Becker and Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, December 24, 2005; Page A01

Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. once argued that the nation's top law enforcement official deserves blanket protection from lawsuits when acting in the name of national security, even when those actions involve the illegal wiretapping of American citizens, documents released yesterday show.

Democrats were quick to link the issues yesterday, saying Alito's memo raises questions about his commitment to protecting civil liberties by checking executive power. The type of absolute immunity that Alito discussed would have shielded attorneys general even when their actions violated constitutional rights.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/23/AR2005122301566.html?referrer=email

Why did WaPo release 2 HUGE stories around a busy time? (edit: added this comment)