Attorney General Eric Holder testified at a Justice Department oversight hearing. Both Republicans and Democrats pressed Mr. Holder on a Justice Department memo regarding the use of drone strikes against American citizens suspected of being terrorists. He also answered questions about his written response to a March 4 letter from Senator Rand Paul. Senator Paul asked if the Obama administration believed the president has the legal authority to use drone strikes against American citizens on U.S. soil. Mr. Holder in the letter replied that in extreme circumstances such as the attack on Pearl Harbor or the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the president could conceivably have no other option but to authorize the use of drones. Other topics included gun violence reduction and assault weapons, and the impact of sequestration budget cuts on national security.
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