Home : National Security : War Powers and the Draft

Former ACLU client Hope Reichbach talks about her case against the military's recruitment policies

ACLU Says Executive Order "Material Support" Provision Sweeps Too Broadly and Will Restrict Humanitarian Efforts in Iraq (07/27/2007)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today issued a warning about a little noticed presidential Executive Order recently issued by the White House. Although the order is ostensibly aimed at supporters of the insurgency in Iraq, the civil liberties group warned that its sweeping provisions posed risks for residents of the United States and for humanitarian work in Iraq.

West Point Graduate Sues Army for Discharge as Conscientious Objector (07/12/2007)
WASHINGTON - After being denied recognition as a conscientious objector, U.S. Army Captain Peter D. Brown yesterday asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., to order the Army to discharge him because he sincerely believes that Christian principles compel him not to kill or cause injury to others, even his enemies. Captain Brown is represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area.

ACLU, JACL and ADC Alarmed that Census Violated Privacy in World War II, Urges Congress to Ensure Similar Actions Are Not Happening Now (03/30/2007)
WASHINGTON - Following reports in USA Today that the Census Bureau gave American surveillance agencies information on persons of Japanese Ancestry during World War II, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urged Congress to investigate and ensure that such practices do not occur today.

ACLU: Bush Guts Geneva Conventions Enforcement and Undermines Due Process (09/06/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed opposition to the president’s proposal to try detainees and to amend the War Crimes Act to gut enforceability of the Geneva Conventions. In addition, the Department of Defense released an updated Army Field Manual on Interrogations that diminishes protections against abuse. At the same time, the president has also directed at least 14 prisoners held at CIA secret "black sites" to be transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and tried there.

After NYCLU Files Lawsuit, Army Grants Honorable Discharge to Soldier Who Objects to War (05/26/2006)
NEW YORK -- Under pressure from a New York Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, the U.S. Army has granted Conscientious Objector (C.O.) status and honorable discharge to Sergeant Corey D. Martin, whom the Army previously had tried to deploy while his C.O. application was still pending, the NYCLU announced today.

ACLU Motion on CIA Glomar Ruling (12/12/2005)
Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion for Partial Relief from Order Granting Partial Summary Judgment to Defendant Central Intelligence Agency

ACLU Letter to Attorney General Gonzales Requesting the Appointment of Outside Special Counsel for the Investigation and Prosecution of Violations, or Conspiracy to Violate, Criminal Laws Against Warrantless Wiretapping of American Persons (12/21/2005)

Alliance for Justice Sign-on Statement on Bush Administration's Torture Memos (08/09/2004)

ACLU Testimony of Timothy H. Edgar, Legislative Counsel, at a Hearing on "9/11 Commission Recommendations: Counterterrorism Analysis and Collection-The Requirement for Imagination and Creativity" before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (08/04/2004)

Summary of ACLU Analysis of 9/11 Commission Recommendations on Intelligence Reform (07/30/2004)

ACLU Analysis of the 9-11 Commission's Recommendations for Intelligence Reform (07/30/2004)

ACLU Says Executive Order "Material Support" Provision Sweeps Too Broadly and Will Restrict Humanitarian Efforts in Iraq (07/27/2007)
NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today issued a warning about a little noticed presidential Executive Order recently issued by the White House. Although the order is ostensibly aimed at supporters of the insurgency in Iraq, the civil liberties group warned that its sweeping provisions posed risks for residents of the United States and for humanitarian work in Iraq.

West Point Graduate Sues Army for Discharge as Conscientious Objector (07/12/2007)
WASHINGTON - After being denied recognition as a conscientious objector, U.S. Army Captain Peter D. Brown yesterday asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., to order the Army to discharge him because he sincerely believes that Christian principles compel him not to kill or cause injury to others, even his enemies. Captain Brown is represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area.

ACLU, JACL and ADC Alarmed that Census Violated Privacy in World War II, Urges Congress to Ensure Similar Actions Are Not Happening Now (03/30/2007)
WASHINGTON - Following reports in USA Today that the Census Bureau gave American surveillance agencies information on persons of Japanese Ancestry during World War II, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urged Congress to investigate and ensure that such practices do not occur today.

ACLU: Bush Guts Geneva Conventions Enforcement and Undermines Due Process (09/06/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed opposition to the president’s proposal to try detainees and to amend the War Crimes Act to gut enforceability of the Geneva Conventions. In addition, the Department of Defense released an updated Army Field Manual on Interrogations that diminishes protections against abuse. At the same time, the president has also directed at least 14 prisoners held at CIA secret "black sites" to be transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and tried there.

After NYCLU Files Lawsuit, Army Grants Honorable Discharge to Soldier Who Objects to War (05/26/2006)
NEW YORK -- Under pressure from a New York Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, the U.S. Army has granted Conscientious Objector (C.O.) status and honorable discharge to Sergeant Corey D. Martin, whom the Army previously had tried to deploy while his C.O. application was still pending, the NYCLU announced today.