DAVID S. ADDINGTON

Goldsmith headed the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel—the office that makes legal opinions to guide the Federal Government’s conduct. Goldstein had been asked to render an opinion as to whether terrorists captured in the Iraq War were protected by the Geneva Conventions. The Justice Department staff had concluded that all Iraq civilians were covered including terrorists and insurgents. He was called to meeting at the White House with the President’s and Vice President’s counsels. When Goldsmith revealed the Justice Department conclusion, Addington grew agitated and made this response. The quotation provides insight into the operations of the George W. Bush White House and its relationship with the rest of the government.

Goldsmith headed the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel—the office that makes legal opinions to guide the Federal Government’s conduct. The George W. Bush White House had decided that the War on Terror required spying on American citizens under certain circumstances but the existing laws required that in each case, they obtain a warrant from a special FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Court. They were afraid that the court might not grant the warrants in all cases so in some cases ignored the requirements to go through the court. Addington and some other White House staff felt that if there was one more terrorist incident in the United States, they could pressure Congress into getting rid of the FISA court.

Goldsmith headed the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel—the office that makes legal opinions to guide the Federal Government’s conduct. The George W. Bush White House had decided that the War on Terror required spying on American citizens under certain circumstances but the existing laws required that in each case, they obtain a warrant from a special FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Court. They were afraid that the court might not grant the warrants in all cases so in some cases ignored the requirements to go through the court. Addington and some other White House staff felt that if there was one more terrorist incident in the United States, they could pressure Congress into getting rid of the FISA court.

Goldsmith headed the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel—the office that makes legal opinions to guide the Federal Government’s conduct. Goldstein had been asked to render an opinion as to whether terrorists captured in the Iraq War were protected by the Geneva Conventions. The Justice Department staff had concluded that all Iraq civilians were covered including terrorists and insurgents. He was called to meeting at the White House with the President’s and Vice President’s counsels. When Goldsmith revealed the Justice Department conclusion, Addington grew agitated and made this response. The quotation provides insight into the operations of the George W. Bush White House and its relationship with the rest of the government.