Washington – A federal judge who once authorized wiretaps in terrorist and espionage cases criticized President Bush’s decision to order warrantless surveillance after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Royce Lamberth, a district judge in Washington, said Saturday that it was proper for executive branch agencies to conduct surveillance.
“But what we have found in the history of our country is that you can’t trust the executive,” he told the American Library Association’s convention.
“We have to understand you can fight the war (on terrorism) and lose everything if you have no civil liberties left when you get through fighting the war,” said Lamberth, who was appointed by President Reagan.
“The executive has to fight and win the war at all costs. But judges understand … we still have to preserve our civil liberties,” he said.
The program “is lawful, limited, safeguarded and – most importantly – effective in protecting American citizens from terrorist attacks,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.
