Action Could Undermine Our Nation’s Security

ACLJ: Department of Justice Could Set Dangerous Precedent by Punishing Attorneys for Legal Arguments About Interrogation Techniques

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2009—

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the nation's leading conservative public interest law firm, said Wednesday that an internal review by the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommending possible disciplinary action against government attorneys is dangerous and would set a troubling precedent that could undermine the nation's security. 

According to recent news reports, an internal DOJ report is likely to recommend that state bar associations consider taking disciplinary action against DOJ attorneys-including reprimands and even disbarment-because of the legal arguments written about interrogation techniques.

"The DOJ action represents a giant step toward politicizing the nation's top law enforcement agency and could undermine the security of this nation in the ongoing war on terrorism," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. 

"The fact is that there is legitimate legal debate about the use of interrogation techniques," said Sekulow.  "To punish DOJ attorneys for examining legal positions in our war against terrorism is not only wrong but sends a terrible signal that is likely to quash legitimate legal debate inside one of the nation's most important agencies.  We must not put our nation's top legal advisors in this position."

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.  The browse the ACLJ's online newsroom for high-resolution, downloadable graphics, principal bios, ACLJ fact sheets, etc.

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