Padilla v. Rumsfeld

352 F.3d 695 (Dec. 18, 2003)

 

Facts: Dirty bomb.  U.S. citizen.  First in regular jail, then declared enemy combatant, detained indefinitely.  Newman, “next friend”.

 

Issue: Sep of powers?

 

Rule: President may always use inherent constitutional powers. 

 

Analysis: “Wartime?”  Political question doctrine.

 

Distinguish Hamdi.

 

Justice Jackson, three levels/zones of presidential authority, Youngstown.  Congressional acts.  Non-Detention Act.  Congress basically didn’t go far enough in joint resolution or 10 U.S.C. § 956(5) in reversing what it has just said in Non-Detention Act (18 U.S.C. § 4001(a)).

 

Conclusion: The District Court is reversed.

 

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