National Intelligence Officials Does Not Know The Constitution

The former head of the National Security Agency and the current principal deputy of National Intelligence, Michael Hayden, yesterday revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of the 4th Amendment. Under questioning from a reporter, Hayden disputed that the 4th Amendment requires probable cause to receive a warrant allowing for the lawful search or seizure of property. The text of the Amendment states the following: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." Moreover, electronic surveillance (prior to the Bush administration’s illegal program) required there to be probable cause that that the target was an agent of a foreign power.

Ghee, maybe when they take their Oath to protect and defend the Constitution, we should require them to actually read the Constitution.