The Daily Background

On Saturday, I wrote about Obama’s promise to review Bush’s executive orders to see how many were unconstitutional and repeal them. The AP brings us more details today from a private meeting between Barack and Democratic House legislators:

Barack Obama told House Democrats on Tuesday that as president he would order his attorney general to scour White House executive orders and expunge any that “trample on liberty,” several lawmakers said.

Presidents, as head of the executive branch of government, issue such orders to direct operations of executive branch agencies, like the Justice Department and the CIA. For example, President Bush used an executive order last year to breathe new life into the CIA’s controversial terror interrogation program that allowed harsh questioning of suspects.

Obama “talked about how his attorney general is to review every executive order and immediately eliminate those that trample on liberty,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.
[…]
During his presidency, Bush increasingly has relied on executive orders to dictate policies without seeking congressional approval. His orders have ranged from restrictions on striped bass fishing to sanctions against Myanmar’s government.

Obama did not indicate who his attorney general would be, or any other member of his Cabinet. To lawmakers who asked about his Cabinet plans, Obama said: “Get me elected, and then I’ll worry about the Cabinet,” according to Nadler.

Clyburn added that Obama said there were “people in the room with more expertise than him.”

Who from the House of Representatives that you’d like to see as Obama’s Attorney General?

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