On May 13, the Center for Effective Government joined other open government organizations in urging Attorney General Eric Holder not to appeal the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York Times Co. v. Department of Justice. In April, the Second Circuit ruled that the government must disclose the legal analysis justifying the government's drone-based targeted killing program, in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the Times.
The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) prepares opinions to advise agencies on whether proposed executive actions are lawful. As an office of the Department of Justice (DOJ), such opinions effectively become law, defining the government's view of its authority. Despite their importance for understanding government operations, disclosure of OLC opinions is piecemeal; at least 11 such memos remain secret.
The opinion in this case forms part of the legal basis for the government's targeted killing program. Under the program, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) use remotely piloted aircraft, commonly called drones, to kill individuals that the government deems to be terrorists. At least four U.S. citizens have been killed by drone strikes. Continue>>>
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