Dianne Feinstein backs Alberto Gonzales into a corner - stunned silence ensues

Dianne Feinstein backs Alberto Gonzales into a corner - stunned silence ensues

Difi:
"About FISA, you say that the President has the authority to wiretap
Americans without warrants due to his war powers under Article 2,
correct?"

Gonzo: "Yes."

Difi: "And I got a letter from
your associate saying that the President could act because Congress had
not set up a statute. Well, that's not true. The FISA law clearly says
that the President can eavesdrop without warrants for 15 days after a
declaration of war."

Gonzo: "Yes, but we didn't have a
declaration of war, only an authorization to use military force, so we
couldn't work with that provision."

Difi: "So you're saying that the AUMF does not amount to a declaration of war?"

Gonzo: "Obviously they are different."

Difi: "So if the AUMF is not a declaration of war, the president shouldn't have WAR powers!"

Gonzo: "................."

(whispers in the chamber...)