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Spying at Home

Agencies Clash on Military's Border Role
A proposal to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to counter drug trafficking has triggered a bureaucratic standoff between the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security over the military's role in domestic affairs, according to officials in both departments.
 
Background
Bush Administration's Warrantless Wiretapping Program
Read more about the Bush Administration's warrantless wiretapping program.
Transcript
Bush Remarks on FISA
President Bush threatens a veto of the House version of an update to the FISA bill in a White House news conference, March 13, 2008.
Opinion
Scare Tactics and Our Surveillance Bill
Instead of working witih Congress to achieve the best policies to keep our country safe, President Bush has sorted to scare tactics and political games.
Q&A Transcript
Justice Department: Stevens Investigation, Gonzales Troubles
Washington Post Justice Department Reporter Dan Eggen discussed the July 2007 FBI raid of Sen. Ted Stevens' home and the Senate's pursuit (and Vice President Cheney's defense) of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Video
Bush on Domestic Spying
In a White House news conference January 26, 2006, President Bush defends the NSA domestic surveillance program.

From FindLaw

A Glimpse at the NSA

Although the size of the National Security Agency's operations is classified, intelligence experts estimate that 38,000 people work for the agency.

ORIGIN
President Harry S. Truman signed a memorandum establishing the NSA in 1952. The new agency brought together all U.S. military and non-military cryptology activity.

MISSION
Obtaining intelligence through surveillance of adversaries' communications. Securing sensitive U.S. government and military communications.

HEADQUARTERS
Located at Fort Meade, the NSA has its own off-ramp from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway marked "NSA employees only."

LEADERSHIP
NSA directors historically have been lieutenant generals or vice admirals. The current director, Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, was appointed in 2005. The NSA director reports to the director of national intelligence.

Transcript
Opinion: Former Congressman on Wiretapping
Former Congressman Bob Barr (R-Ga.), chairman of Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances (PRCB), discusses wiretapping and surveillance issues legislation and the controversy over executive powers.

Editorials & Op-Eds: Domestic Surveillance

DHS to Cut Police Access to Spy-Satellite Data: Democrat Calls Bush Program 'Ill-Conceived' (Post, June 24, 2009)
 
House Bill Expands Oversight Of NSA (Post, June 20, 2009)
 
Obama Set to Create A Cybersecurity Czar With Broad Mandate: Shielding Public, Private Networks Is Goal (Post, May 26, 2009)
 
A Single-Minded Focus on Dual Wars: Defense Secretary Is Reorienting the Military to Meet U.S. Troops' Needs Now (Post, May 15, 2009)
 
In 'Virtual Fence,' Continuity With Border Effort by Bush (Post, May 9, 2009)
 
Role of Bush NSA Plan Under Review: Obama Administration Faces Privacy, Security Challenges in Defending Cyberspace (Post, April 17, 2009)
 
Director of FBI Urges Renewal of Patriot Act: Portions of Law to Expire This Year (Post, March 26, 2009)
 
Handling Of 'State Secrets' At Issue: Like Predecessor, New Justice Dept. Claiming Privilege (Post, March 25, 2009)
 
U.S. Stepping Up Response to Mexican Drug Violence: No New Troops Or Funding in Obama's Plan (Post, March 25, 2009)
 
Anti-Drug Effort at Border Is Readied: Obama Plans to Send Agents, Equipment To Aid Mexican Fight (Post, March 22, 2009)
 
Iranian Suspected of Smuggling Weapons for Tehran Jailed in U.S. (Post, March 17, 2009)
 
CIA Adds Economy To Threat Updates: White House Given First Daily Briefing (Post, February 26, 2009)
 
Holder Confirmed As the First Black Attorney General: Nominee Overcame Objections in GOP (Post, February 3, 2009)
 
Inauguration Is Climax to Two Years Of Increasing Security Around Obama: Thousands of Police and National Guard Troops Will Encircle President Tuesday (Post, January 18, 2009)
 
Intelligence Court Releases Ruling in Favor of Warrantless Wiretapping (Post, January 16, 2009)
 
Experience Is Prime Asset for New Spy Chiefs: Picks to Face Internal, External Challenges (Post, December 3, 2008)
 
A Pragmatic Pair Chosen to Confront Terrorism Threat (Post, December 2, 2008)
 
Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security (Post, December 1, 2008)
 
Democrats Move Cautiously on DHS Appointment: Next Secretary Inherits a 5-Year-Old Agency Tasked With Border Security, Disaster Response and Terrorism Prevention (Post, November 17, 2008)
 
Experts See Security Risks in Downturn: Global Financial Crisis May Fuel Instability and Weaken U.S. Defenses (Post, November 15, 2008)
 
Top Two Officials In U.S. Intelligence Expect to Lose Jobs: Obama Silent Amid Conflicting Advice (Post, November 12, 2008)
 
Sometimes Continuity Trumps Change: Three Bush Appointees in Crucial Positions Likely to Remain Under Obama (Post, November 10, 2008)
 
Immigration to Go Paperless: Agency Plans Electronic Overhaul of Case-Management System (Post, November 7, 2008)
 
Guidelines Expand FBI's Surveillance Powers: Techniques May Be Used in U.S. Without Any Fact Linking Subject to Terrorism (Post, October 4, 2008)
 
More News
National Security and Intelligence Discussions
Guantanamo Shutdown Stalls, Detainees' Futures Uncertain (Dana Priest, May 21, 2009; 12:30 PM)

Dana Priest on National Security and Intelligence (Dana Priest, April 30, 2009; 12:30 PM)

Dana Priest on CIA Memos, Secretary of Defense Gates, More (Dana Priest, April 23, 2009; 2:00 PM)

Dana Priest on National Security and Intelligence (Dana Priest, April 9, 2009; 12:30 PM)

North Korea Missile Threats, Latest in Afghanistan and Was Life Better in the 20th Century? (Dana Priest, April 2, 2009; 12:30 PM)
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