How Does the President Have the Right to Target for Killing a US Citizen?

“Why not capture and have him stand trial?”

Because you don’t send a man where you can send a bomb. It’s not worth the death of one of ours just to capture someone who’s probably better off dead. The only benefit to taking him alive would be to beat info out of him, but this admin. is squeemish about such things, so it’s better to just kill him and be done with it.

Why not capture and have him stand trial?
Posted by: Eric | September 30, 2011, 11:45 am 11:45 am

Where would they send him? Obama is NOT going to send anyone to Gitmo. The American people won’t let him be detained in the US and receive a civilian trial. And this guy IS a US citizen. Technically he IS entitled to a trial by jury.

Cheaper to kill him. That being said, if Bush were killing people like this, the media would be howling from the rooftops.

It’s no different than killing a U.S. Citizen that is on death row.

Did you forget that the president has authorization from Congress to do whatever that is necessary to combat international terrorism against the United States?

Section 2(a) of the Joint Resolution of Congress, “Authorization for Use of Military Force,” passed on September 18, 2001, reads:

That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

I’m no fan of al-Awlaki, and I won’t lose any sleep over his death, but this IS a slippery slope. Today it is a “known terrorist”, 20 years from now it is a political opponent. If no evidence is required, ANYONE can be labeled a terrorist. And to John Regan: I’d guess the American citizens killed fighting with the Nazis were killed in battle, in an “imminent threat” type of scenario, not hunted down and executed; this is the distinction.

This is a slippery slope this current administration has taken. Why not capture and have him stand trial? POSTED BY: ERIC | SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, 11:45 AM 11:45 AM **********************************
Also, using a Kangaroo system of justice that was previously done is the same if not worse.

Greenwald has jumped the shark again. Ted Bundy, Timothy McVeigh, and Jeffrey Dahmer were also our “fellow US citizens” but should their lives be spared? When dealing with a global terrorist organization who has declared time and time again that he is bent on destroying the US from afar, you don’t wait until you get him into custody so you can read him his Miranda rights, get him a publicity seeking defense attorney paid for by tax payers, and prepare for a show trial. You get rid of him cleanly and quickly and move the next self declared terrorist. Of course americans are cheering because most americans have commonsense.

__”How Does the President Have the Right to Target for Killing a US Citizen? “~~~~~~~~~So, what right does Anwar al-Awlaki have to kill Americans? Americans who murder receive the death penalty.

IMHO he gave up any US citizenship the minute he wanted to do harm to us and this country period! I applaud the president, military, etc for doing a great job! This guy is ( was) pathetic excuse just like the rest of the losers of that group! I will not lose any sleep over this I know that!

spin spin spin the hardcore right keep spinning things till no one knows which way is up.

@ Eric – u bonehead!

They’re kidding with this line of questioning. As far as I’m concerned he renounced his citizenship and rights once he appeared in numerous videos calling for the destruction of the United States.

The President has the right because I give it to him. :)

noflyzone, actually, most murderers don’t get the death penalty. and death verdicts have been steadily declining for the last decade.

When any person takes it upon themself to carry out a Attack against Innocent Civilians,and the people that Protect innocent Civilians(Like My Family),That Have to change their names to stay safe,In this world.When any Person Takes it upon theirself to Continue to Stalk Us Like Anilmals,Hurt us,Make us ill,Make Pesticides,that make us ill(West Nile Virus Doughnuts)Because they Are From Any Radical Movement……They Have to be Stopped.

Why risk MORE American (as in one who is loyal and willing to fight FOR our country) lives to try to capture Anwar al-Awlaki? Plotting to kill Americans in mass certainly falls under the category of treason to me.

Treason has always been listed as a death penalty offense. —but he didn’t stand trial. He wasn’t found guilty,even though i think it’s obvious that he was. I think it’s true this is a slippery slope. Technically, maybe he should have been tried for treason, then killed, but he was in Yemen, so maye the fact that extradiction would have been laughed at gives us permission to just kill him, but…i think if Bush did this, well, folks would wonder, a little, want it looked into. A governemt who can just kill whomever they dont like, well, that’s dangerous, technically. What if someone had a viewpoint some president didn’t want out there. So he ordered him dead, a la Putin, killing his rivals with poison. It’s not something to poo poo too much. But…….I think it comes down to trusting your president and…not pushing it. This seemed an ok case where we never would havegotton our hands on him again. So it’s not that uncomfortable. But it’s a slippery slope, that’s for sure.

American policies and Mossad’s policies … IDENTICAL.

The terrifying thing is we now have an established precedent to do this over and over and over. At some point (if its not happened already), this new found power will be used to settle a political score.

Posted by: Davis Bradley | September 30, 2011, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

JOHN WHEELER. The lack of press on this man was astonishing.

The ACLU says Osama Bin Laden should be tried too instead of being killed and many of it’s lawyers would have been the first in line to defend him. Posted by: Douglas | September 30, 2011, 12:33 pm

Douglas, you can’t just make stuff up like that. It’s called lying, and you shouldn’t do it. didn’t anyone ever teach you that?

The same people who were against the execution of a murderer are for the killing of this terrorist.
At lease the murderer got due process. I am glad this man is dead but what is the price of our liberties and laws worth it?

It is strange to see the President being criticized even when he does the right thing. Some here are more republican than they are American in that they would defend this traitor just to oppose this President WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. Would it be better if this person was allowed to live and kill three thousand more Americans? He is a traitor and murderer by his own admission on many occasions and I am sure the Government has solid evidence against him also. Good riddance is all I have to say.

I did not read all the comments so forgive me if my comment has already been made: One of the many hats of the President is Commander-In-Chief. As far as I know, he has to take the same oath as the rest of us soldiers- to protect the U.S. against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC. period

What is it with all this boo hoo about a terrorist who has killed Americans? So what he was born here.

Oh no Obama has done something great. Let’s attack him! This is what the GOP has become. Very sad, especially when you consider the direction our country is going. We have to work together or we aren’t going to make it. I sure wish the GOP would come up with a better strategy than the one they’ve sung for many years. And tested 2000-2008. It don’t work. Tax cuts for wealthy & full force war. Does not compute. And then to blame Obama for their lackluster strategy & the result of it is just preposterous. This is how empires fall.

This guy gave up his rights the minute he went abroad and basically declared war on the USA, at that time he became not only a traitor but an enemy combatant and all bets ( rights) are off !!!!!!

Put it a different way….if someone comes into your home and threatens your life, you have the right to defend yourself. If that means killing the intruder, our laws protect and support your rights to defend yourself…

The below except was taken right out of the story:

“What’s most amazing is that its citizens will not merely refrain from objecting, but will stand and cheer the U.S. Government’s new power to assassinate their fellow citizens, far from any battlefield, literally without a shred of due process from the U.S.”

As a Soldier, you’re right, we will stand and cheer the power to assassinate the man. What’s wrong is he IS NOT a fellow citizen. Just like when Anwar exchanged emails with the Fort Hood Killer advising him to carry out his plan, that man wore the same uniform as me, yet he WAS NOT my brother in arms, yet an adversary posing as my brother. When he was taken down, us (Soldiers) didn’t stand and cheer, instead mourned the loss of our brothers and sisters. But please believe that once the death penalty takes his life, we will stand and cheer. The difference in these two, the Fort Hood Killer was here on our soil, and he was fortunate enough to have not been killed during the shooting. Since he survived, he gets to experience due process. Had Anwar made his return onto American soil, and survived the onslaught that would’ve been brought onto him, then he too would get to expierence due process. Although, I can guarantee he wouldn’t survived.

@Pete that is a LIE, Wright did not call for the destruction of the United States or the killing of Americans that is the difference. Your bias shows.

It’s not about going against Obama (I support our President) but once you start taking rights away from Americans it starts to get a little scary. I understand you guys will say “he gave up his rights…” but he was still an American citizen. We have to be careful what type of power we give the government.

What is the difference between Anwar al-Awlaki appearing on tape and denouncing the United States and calling for it’s destruction and Rev. Jeremiah Wright in Chicago appearing on tape and denouncing the United States and calling for it’s destruction? No difference…… Posted by: Pete | September 30, 2011, 2:18 pm.

LOL! Nice try. I can tell you’ve never bothered to read the entire transcript from the Reverend Wright sermon that got so much press, when the Right lifted a single 3-word sound byte from it and used it to attack Obama. Typical Republican non-existent research: shoot first and ask questions later. I read the transcript and I AGREE with the Reverends statements, IN THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THEY WERE SAID. I swear, with all the out of context sound bytes Republicans cite, I honestly believe these people don’t understand the CONCEPT of context. Reverend Wright served this country with the Marines in the Vietnam War. Did you know that? No, I didn’t think so. After 2 years as a Marine, he joined the Navy, then trained as a cardiopulmonary technician. Wright was assigned as part of the medical team charged with care of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Before leaving the position in 1967, the White House Physician, Vice Admiral Burkley, personally wrote Wright a letter of thanks on behalf of the United States President. Look, if you want to hate on someone like Reverend Wright, that is entirely within your rights. But you should at LEAST understand exactly the kind of man you are hating, instead of relying on FOX Noise to TELL you what to think. Oh, and FYI, Reverend Wright NEVER ‘called for the destruction of the United States’. That is yet another Republican lie………

@Dubz “but he was still an American citizen” what makes him an American citizen? The fact that he was born here? I feel he gave up his citizenship when he decided to attack the United States and kill Americans. Many true Americans were not born here. In this case do you think the President has to take into consideration the possibility that this person could be plotting to kill another American. The President has sworn an oath to protect that American and has to act to protect this country which I think he did, although it might not be legally perfect.

I THOUGHT ALL AL QUAEDA MEMBERS WERE ANTI-AMERICAN!

War Criminal! War Criminal! Killing innocent civilians with drone attacks! War Criminal! Send him to the Hague!! ….Oh, it’s Obama. Never mind!

Who gets to pick and choose who the threat is?

DUBZ – I feel your concern, and agree with it in the broad spectrum of things…. I really do. And although I believe (somewhat) in the American justice system – this guy didn’t want any parts of that at all. Due process? C’mon……. he was practically in the trenches with al Qaeda, so there’s no way he’s coming out the house in handcuffs. In the end, your moral ground is more firm, but you can’t argue with results like these for a traitor like him.

Obama’s is scoring brownie points Left and Right recently.

What a silly question, it shows our stupidity just by the fact it’s being asked. This man would have liked to kill millions of us and we argue about whether he should have been eliminated or not. Is this country getting soft? you bet your sweet a__ it is.

It’s not a slippery slope at all (what an over-used slogan that “slippery slope” thing is). It’s cut and dried: President obama took an oath when he was inaugerated: That he would protect the Constitution of the United States. As Commander in Cheif, he is head of the military. ALL military people swear an oath of office also…to protect the Constitution of hte United States (essentially to protect the United States in totality) from enemies both foreign and domestic. obama and the military just carried out part of that oath by taking out this piece of garbage that would have so loved to do great harm to our country. For that, I thank them. The very fact that the ACLU would bring a lawsuit against obama for targeting this guy SHOULD open some eyes of some liberals. The man swore to harm America in anyway he could. In some cases, he succeded. At Fort Hood he succeeded. He came close with the Christmas Day bomber in Detroit. Who knows how many brainless clones he has inspired to hurt you and me? Only time will tell how much future damage this man will wreak even after his death. I disagree with obama’s policies and truly don’t like him as our president….but still I thank him for killing this individual. I only wish that the drone’s hellfire missiles would have been soaked in pigs blood prior to being launched……..

Civil Disobedience by an American citizen in protest is the right of every American. What you owe your country, as a citizen, is your allegiance and loyalty in exchange for these rights. Whether you agree or disagree with the policies of our country you have a civil responsibility to protect and defend the Constitution and citizens of the United States from enemies both foreign and domestic. Civil disobedience does not extend to your actions harming and killing American citizens at the behest of a foreign power. He was no citizen of this country when he gave his allegiance to a foreign enemy, in this case Al Qaeda. Good night to him.

@ Dubz – really?? you can’t wrap your little mind around this without attacking obama or US. I guess you’re the antagonist & there always has to be one. But jeez get a checkup from the neck up ok?

“Open season” on US citizens…..Watch out “Joe the Plumber”….. there might be a drone with your name on it!! LOL!!

When you got drunk and want to throw bottles in a public place, you will be tagged as terrorist and targeted for assassination oversea. We have a constitution in this country, this is not libya or iraq where the president can kill whoever they want, thats what makes us an American.

@ ANONYMOUS I can see why you want to be ANONYMOUS. bc you don’t make sense. Viva Obama for taking out Anwar al-Awlaki !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go prez! F anonymouspuss

Four years ago the liberal Left would have been raising hell.

Those that think he should not have been taken out should have invited him to stay at their house here in the USA. No one would have found him there. LOL

Trying the terrorist thugs at Guantanamo in a miltray court elevates them to the status of enemy combatents fighting for their country. These are thugs, they should be tryed in a civilian court like any other common criminal. They killed civilains not military men on 911.

I can’t beleive New York turned them down. A jury of the peers of the peple who died should have tryed , convicted and sentenced these thugs to death in New York. It would have been an honor.

I understand a lot of this “constitudional fluff” . I get it. nobody wants a govt. that can “eliminate pesky citizens w/o due process”.

key in on this. CITIZEN.
this fella gave that up. PERIOD. There is absolutely no question of his motives or who’s side he was on. If you think you have questions, then do your homework. Google isnt’ that hard to find information on.

I’d rather see a DOA american citizen turned Al-Quacker, than the same citizen being let off the hook in a mockery of our justice system as it turns into a political 3 ring circus.
The attitude of “treat our enemies with class and finesse” is how you LOOSE a WAR !. And just because there is no declaration of war on a sovereign country…, well, times have changed. This enemy has no boarders, thus it becomes a bit more “personal” when we hit them.

But make no mistake. This was no American that was killed.

Viva Obama! He works very hard everyday to make us safe & yet the right shat on him every minute of every day as if he was the enemy. Says a lot about the right.

I guess what is upsetting is hearing the right always spin stuff. it’s more tiresome than upsetting. & newcountryman don’t flatter yourself. what u said isn’t true. so laugh at me , laugh at the crazy liberals. But know this, you are not right. Remember that when YOU look in the mirror & think what a great person you are.

HHH (5:35 PM); Thank You. Laugh? More like shake my head in wonder. Watch that blood pressure fella. You obviously were not on this blog 4 years ago when Bush was the bad guy.

Obama has killed scores of civilians in both Pakistan and Yemen with his drone missile strikes since January 2009.

Al Qaeda operates in 100 countries. Should we just invade every country that has terrorists and shoot missiles at them? Is that the new progressive war doctrine now? Would progressives have defended Bush doing the same thing?

We’re currently at war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya. That’s four more wars than Bush. Over 65% of all US casualties in Afghanistan have occurred on Obama’s watch. Where ARE those anti-war protesters these days? Where are the calls for more pictures of flag-draped coffins? Where are the progressives calling Obama a war criminal? Hmmm? If Bush was a warmonger and neo-con by progressive standards, then so is Obama. Actually, Obama’s worse because he bypassed Congress altogether for his four latest wars.

Progressives HATED war before Obama. They constantly criticized Bush and McCain for being warmongers. But now, progressives love war because their guy is doing the killing. In fact, they sound like bloodthirsty cowboy warmongers now. Isn’t CHANGE great?

HHH; Like Bill Engvall’s line “here’s your sign”. Here’s your mirror. The reflection does get uncomfortable doesn’t it…..That’s OK, I understand.

at least when i look in the mirror i don’t see a delusional pissed off man who blames obama for everything. is that the new country you’re talking about?

so cindy let me get this straight…you’re for war, where many soldiers die & it takes along time & cost a lot, but you are against a drone a attacking a terrorist leader like osama & this new one today? The right wing party makes less & less sense as they try to explain their ineffective ways. i’d rather have a drone kill the terrorist leader with none of our soldiers getting hurt. Call me crazy, i know you will , bc that’s what foxnews hounds do, they spin it to the right, spin it with all their might. Viva America , Viva Obama. Death to the FoxNewsSpinZone!!!!!!!!!!

Criminal US citizens should have no more rights, than criminal non-US citizens. Think about it.

@ publuis – Even spies and traitors in wartime are tried and convicted…….this guy was more than a spy or a traitor. He was sending people over to kill americans in mass, & was planning more & working up that idiocy. It is a great thing he is gone. Plus this is not an average war. Their is not a country that can be held responsible. They are small & fluid & can move stealth like & attack us when we are not looking…..just like our drone. I am so happy this guy is gone & no american soldiers were hurt or killed. This is a great thing for America, too bad putrid republicans can’t join wigth the excitement…all because obama did it. how small minded.

President Obama stated after Bin Laden’s demise that anyone that adheres to or thinks they will carries out his wishes better look over their shoulder. Wasn’t anyone listening!? Should have complained earlier. President Obama is just keeping his promise!

He has a right the moment this person starts to work against this country and threatens its safety. This person crossed over to the other side and was a danger to us which was re-enforced by our secret service people who know best and know what is going on. No regrets in this case…we need to do whatever is right. When this person became a threat….he gave up his citizenship and rights as an American. Besides…if Bush had done it…there would be a parade…They just won’t give this guy a break and he has killed more Alkida than any other president.. While Bush promised to capture and kill Bin Laden..two short years later…he said I don’t know where he is…I don’t think about him…that shows just how interested he was in getting him…the president in charge during 9/11. ..President Obama promised to find and kill him and he did….need I say more.

First, the only thing I have seen this guy being charged with is speaking, (including speaking at a Pentagon lunch after 911). He is said to have inspired other fanatics. We see no evidence of him actually taking up arms against the US. Just exercising his freedom of speech.

And for that he is executed without trial or jury? In direct contradiction of the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments?

Here is a philosophical question. The Bible has inspired fanatics to kill abortionists, would we assassinate God because of that?

The argument that a US citizen can lose his citizenship without due process does not hold water. Read The Nationality Act of 1940 – Specifically Sec 401 (h)

We are either a nation of laws, or we are a lawless nation. In a lawless nation no-one is safe.

First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Never forget!

First, the only thing I have seen this guy being charged with is speaking, (including speaking at a Pentagon lunch after 911). He is said to have inspired other fanatics. We see no evidence of him actually taking up arms against the US. Just exercising his freedom of speech.

And for that he is executed without trial or jury? In direct contradiction of the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments?

Here is a philosophical question. The Bible has inspired fanatics to kill abortionists, would we assassinate God because of that?

The argument that a US citizen can lose his citizenship without due process does not hold water. Read The Nationality Act of 1940 – Specifically Sec 401 (h)

We are either a nation of laws, or we are a lawless nation. In a lawless nation no-one is safe.

First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Never forget!

The article states “Anwar al-Awlaki has in videos cast his lot with al Qaeda and its extremist allies.”. Well that’s good enough for me. al Qaeda is my enemy and an enemy to my government. The fact that Anwar al-Awlaki is an American citizen really doesn’t have any bearing on whether he can be targeted for assasination or not, from my viepoint. He’s a traitor, plain and simple, and we execute traitors. And our justice system doesn’t just hold forth due process and a fair trial for our citizens; we hold this forth for all humanity. But there are exceptions, as there are with any law or rule. Exceptions that have to be made in light of the greater good. I agree with other posts that it is far better to use a bomb as opposed to some poor kid that might also get killed. We’ve lost enough young men in the last 10 years. This is the 21st century my friends. And 9/11, like it or not, changed the rules of engagement. To para-phrase Ronald S. Martin of CNN, if you threaten me or mine with violence or death, I will do everything in my power to kill you. That goes for my country, too.

didn’t he renounce his citenzenship

Wait a minute! Except I am mistaken. Isn’t Fox 4 journalists saying it is a CIA operation and not the President that took out Al? I cannot condone this sought of double-standard. Bin and Al are killed and people do everything to say that the Navy Seals and CIA did it and little or no praise to Obama. Suddenly people blame him for killing instead of capturing these terrorists so that they can be tried. For good measure, am guessing this very crowd cried foul when the Christmas ‘pants’ bomber and other Gitmo detainees were to be tried on US soil. According to this crowd, whichever decision the president takes, he will always be wrong. Who are we fooling in these United States?

This is the only thing Obama got right!! If you leave this great country and then go on countless videos acknowledging attacks against us and threatening more you will get a missile up your butt.

Easy solution: Issue a warrant for the person’s arrest and give them opportunity to return to the US to stand trial or confirm your guilt by staying out and face the potential death sentence like al-Awlaki. Obviously, this should only apply to those who have shown intent and capability to kill or harm. Political rhetoric excluded.

This is a really outrageous argument. If this murderer came in and voluntarily surrendered THEN he would be entitled to a fair trial. As such, he was actively engaged in combat against the USA and it’s citizens. As a enemy soldier he was fair game to be taken out, simple as that. Traitors who wage war against the USA are targets. Do you think George Washington would have hesitated to shoot Benedict Arnold once Arnold donned that British uniform and became a Brigadier in the British Army?

Amazing, this is the first time I’ve seen Obama do anything to save the tax payers money. No legal fees with tax payer money. No appeals.

“I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Notice the line in there I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC.

That means even if you are a U.S. citizen and claim yourself as an enemy of the U.S. you are fair game.

Osama would have spoke the truth why the CIA wanted him in the first place, so they erased him showing fake photos and saying hey we killed osama bin laden the end. Yeah will never get the truth but in reality most of us already know what they’re up to and planning on doing to us soon.