Topic: Target Killing

A discussion on the ethics of drone warfare highlights that President Trump has surpassed President Obama's drone strike frequency, particularly in Yemen. Concerns are raised regarding the psychological terror inflicted by drones and the potential for future strikes against American citizens. Unidentified drone sightings over Colorado are cited as a precursor to expanded domestic drone operations.

Before leading DHS, Jeh Johnson served as the Pentagon's top lawyer, where he provided the legal sign-off for drone strikes against suspected terrorists, including American citizens. Johnson described the "momentum" of these decisions, noting it was often easier to say "yes" than "no" to lethal force requests.

Rear Admiral John Kirby confirmed the killing of a former Guantanamo Bay detainee in Afghanistan who had recently pledged allegiance to ISIL. Kirby described the ISIL presence in Afghanistan as "nascent" and "aspirational" rather than a deeply rooted network. The justification for the strike was that the individual was "planning operations" against U.S. and Afghan personnel.

The hosts play clips of attorney Alan Dershowitz discussing his book *Tunnels of Terror*. Dershowitz argues that the U.S. Constitution must "adapt" to the threat of ISIS, suggesting that due process should be bypassed for those "bragging" about terrorism. He also advocates for "targeted killings" and a presidential approval process for the use of torture, which the hosts find abhorrent and racist.

The Obama administration is reportedly contemplating a drone strike against an American citizen overseas involved in Al-Qaeda plotting, sparking a legal debate over due process. This news coincided with the release of grainy footage showing Delta Force commandos capturing Anas al-Libi in Libya. The timing of these reports suggests a coordinated effort to justify drone assassinations by claiming capture is not always a viable option despite proven special forces capabilities.

The hosts analyze a segment from MSNBC where Chris Matthews and Ron Reagan Jr. discuss the ethics of drone strikes against American citizens overseas. They criticize the "ease of killing" expressed by media figures and the lack of transparency regarding the rules of engagement. The discussion highlights the divide between surveillance and lethal force in domestic and foreign contexts.

Former CIA Director Michael Hayden appeared on C-SPAN to discuss the legality and effectiveness of the drone program. While refusing to officially confirm the CIA's role, Hayden argued that the program is lawful under the laws of armed conflict. He described a 2007 meeting with European diplomats where he defended the U.S. position that it is in a global war with Al-Qaeda.

Media figures Crystal Ball and Eleanor Clift are critiqued for their defenses of the Obama administration's drone program. The commentary highlights their calls for a "drone court" similar to the FISA court to provide a veneer of judicial oversight for targeted killings.

The administration is characterized as "George W. Obama" for continuing and expanding war powers established after the September 2001 attacks. Jay Carney asserted that targeted strikes against Al-Qaeda leaders are legal, ethical, and wise, regardless of U.S. citizenship. The legal framework relies on the concept of "imminence" and the inability to capture suspects in foreign territories.

The shift from capturing and interrogating detainees to utilizing drone strikes for targeted killings is examined. Former intelligence officials argue that "vaporizing" targets with drones prevents the collection of valuable human intelligence. The discussion also references the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) and the psychological tactics used during his detention.

Reports indicate the White House hurried to codify a "drone rulebook" before the 2012 election to solidify the administration's targeted killing procedures. The hosts argue this move was intended to make President Obama appear "tempered" compared to a potential Romney presidency, while actually institutionalizing the use of lethal drones.

The New York Times and the ACLU filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the targeted killing of American citizens by drones. The CIA and DOJ responded by stating they cannot confirm or deny the existence of such records due to national security concerns. A UN investigator has also warned that U.S. drone strikes may challenge international law, particularly when conducted outside of recognized war zones.

In a Congressional hearing, FBI Director Robert Mueller is asked if it is legal to target American citizens with drone strikes within the United States. Mueller's hesitant response—stating he would have to "check on that"—is criticized by the hosts and Fox News anchor Shep Smith as an admission of the government's perceived authority to do so.

Leon Panetta confirms that the President of the United States is the sole individual who must "sign off" on drone strikes against targeted individuals. The hosts express alarm at the lack of judicial oversight and the "maniacal" nature of the current administration's kill-list policies.

Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney defended the president's authority to order the death of American citizens suspected of terrorism without due process. Gingrich argued that "waging war" against the US places an individual outside criminal law. The hosts argue that the Patriot Act has effectively suspended constitutional rights for those designated as "enemy combatants."

The Obama administration has authorized the CIA to kill American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, who is allegedly an operative for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. This decision marks a significant expansion of executive power, allowing for the extrajudicial execution of U.S. citizens without trial or due process. Critics argue that this sets a dangerous precedent, while others suggest al-Awlaki may be a double agent or a target for extraction.