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Judge Skeptical Of Challenge To Gov t Prepub Review System
Law360 (May 4, 2021, 10:08 PM EDT) A vocal Fourth Circuit judge on Tuesday appeared hesitant to revive five former intelligence officials lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the government s authority to block them from writing and speaking about their public service without first obtaining approval, asserting that he cannot find an issue that s ripe for judicial review.
The plaintiffs argue that the decades-old prepublication review system, which requires former military and intelligence officials to seek authorization from the government before publishing books and articles regarding the work after public service, egregiously restricts free-speech and due-process rights.
(Image by Eli Digital Creative from Pixabay via Courthouse News)
RICHMOND, Va. (CN) Attorneys sparred before a Fourth Circuit panel on Tuesday over the constitutionality of a policy implemented by four federal agencies, which requires former intelligence agency employees and military personnel to obtain the government’s permission before publishing works that relate to their service.
Five former federal employees brought their challenge to the government’s “prepublication review” system in 2019, claiming the policy violated their rights under the First and Fifth Amendment.
Attorneys for the Knight First Amendment Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union who filed a lawsuit in federal court in Maryland on behalf of the public servants say the policy’s submission requirements and review standards are too vague, confusing and overbroad.
Did Trump Relax UAV Strikes Outside War Zones Rules? Published May 4th, 2021 - 07:27 GMT
The Biden administration on Friday unsealed rules for counterterrorism operations - such as drone strikes and commando raids - that were secretly issued by Trump in 2017. (AFP/ file photo)
Highlights
Joe Biden s administration on Friday unsealed a set of rules for counterterrorism operations secretly issued by Donald Trump in 2017.
Donald Trump relaxed rules for counterterrorism operations outside war zones and gave more control to commanders on the ground when he took over the White House.
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Joe Biden s administration on Friday unsealed a set of rules secretly issued by his predecessor in 2017 which are now being reviewed by the White House to see if they should be tightened.
Trump secretly relaxed rules for UAV strikes outside war zones and gave Pentagon chiefs more control over targets - after Obama s covert drone war was slammed
Joe Biden s administration on Friday unsealed a set of rules for counterterrorism operations secretly issued by Donald Trump in 2017
The rules are under review by the White House to see if they should be tightened
The 11-page document revealed Trump gave commanders authority to launch attacks if they fit under a broad set of operating principles
Those principles included a requirement of near certainty no harm would come to civilians
The rules were flexible when it came to exceptions, stipulating that variations could be made where necessary