Constitutional Law

The State Secrets Privilege: Time for Reform? - Video Clips

On April 4, 2008, ACS hosted a panel discussion of the state secrets privilege in light of executive assertions of the privilege and congressional consideration of legislation to statutorily define the privilege. Experts from a variety of perspectives explored issues Congress should consider as it weighs bipartisan reform legislation, including whether the state secrets privilege is being properly invoked and the appropriate balance of national security concerns with meaningful access to justice. Below are video clips from a panel discussion that featured Aziz Huq, Richard Samp, Michael Vatis, Ben Wizner, Justin Florence and moderator Jonathan Turley. Full video of the event is available here.

Moderator Jonathan Turley provides an introduction to the discussion of state secrets privilege.

Aziz Huq discusses reasons for the public's interest in the state secrets privilege.

Ben Wizner describes a case he is involved with where government invoked state secrets privilege.

Justin Florence discusses what should be included in legislation regarding the Executive Branch's use of state secrets privilege.

Michael Vatis discusses why legislation and oversight are needed in the area of secret government programs.

Richard Samp agrees that some oversight of the Executive Branch's use of state secrets privilege is needed, but argues that there is a constitutional grounding for the use of such privilege.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on April 11, 2008 (boomark / email).