Bush contemplated deploying troops on US soil to make terror arrests

[moe.ron]

The proposal, which would have risked falling foul of the US constitution if enforced, called on the president to deploy troops to make arrests on American soil for the first time since the Civil War.

The move was backed by Dick Cheney, the former vice president, who wanted the military to apprehend the men, who were suspected of plotting with al Qaeda, so that they could be declared enemy combatants.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...r-arrests.html

Whoa

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by moe.ron

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...r-arrests.html

Whoa

The title of the thread (and the article) doesn't appear to be correct - it wasn't Bush himself who contemplated the issue, but Cheney. The issue was then brought before Bush and other national security people, who vetoed the measure.

[UGAalum94]

Could the headline instead read, Bush administration officials consider every option in fighting the domestic war on terror?

You suppose the logic in favor was that those arrested could go to Gitmo status rather than face criminal charges in the US?

[moe.ron]

Well, if you want to get technical, Bush did contemplated it under suggestion of Cheney. Instead, he decided to the righ thing and let FBI handle it. Cheney didn't contemplated it, he was pushing for it.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by moe.ron

Well, if you want to get technical, Bush did contemplated it under suggestion of Cheney. Instead, he decided to the righ thing and let FBI handle it. Cheney didn't contemplated it, he was pushing for it.

But...the former journalist in me is fairly picky on headlines. If you're going to say "Bush Contemplated XYZ" in the headline, it sounds a lot like it was one of his ideas, or something that he pushed for. It's being hypertechnical, but I think it's better to air on the side of caution when putting together headlines.

[DGTess]

It's important that the presidential advisors are free to put forth all kinds of options.

It's also important that cool heads prevail and they do what's best for the nation, in accord with the Constitution, and a wise choice.

If the administration does not have the freedom to consider all options, we get groupthink - and socialized healthcare and patriot acts.

[Psi U MC Vito]

The proposal, which would have risked falling foul of the US constitution if enforced, called on the president to deploy troops to make arrests on American soil for the first time since the Civil War.

Nobody did anything wrong here. Cheny proposed a way that he could use his people to support national security, and Bush considered it, as well as using the FBI, which has normal jurisdiction over terrorism acts. If you want to be strict about it, any body empowered by the AG can enforce the law. The reporter needed to get the facts straight. Yes, the use of military forces in a police role is illegal. However it is illegal because of a law passed by congress, not because of the Constitution. The Posse Comitatus act also specifically only prevents Army, Air Force and federalized National Guard units. The Navy and Marine Corps are only prevented from doing so by regulation of the DoD, which could have been changed by the president through the Seceratary of Defense. Bassically it would have been legal if he did so and used only Navy, Marine or Coast Guard forces to do so.