Sunday, October 02, 2005

Helen Thomas: Does Bush want to supercede the Constitution in Katrina-like emergencies?

Q: Earlier today you said the President was thinking of suggesting "trigger power" for the military to take over in the most severe catastrophes. My question is, would he bypass our Constitutional civilian rule over the military to get that kind of authority?
A: Well, there are some laws that are already in place. You have the Insurrection Act, which was originally passed I think back in 1861. The President had authorities before that to quell rebellions or restore law and order if needed. But that was primarily -- the purpose of that act was really aimed at what I just said, quelling rebellions or restoring law and order. What we saw with Hurricane Katrina was a category five hurricane coming up the Gulf Coast. I think it hit as a category four. But this was a major, catastrophic event, and that's what the President is talking about, a situation like Hurricane Katrina. Is there a trigger needed, an automatic trigger for something like a hurricane five --
Q: Wouldn't that be dangerous? After all, there is a --
A: -- for something like a --
Q: -- precedent, isn't there?

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