Atlanta, GA – Former Congressman Bob Barr today praised U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit for striking down the warrantless spying program conducted against U.S. citizens in this country since at least 2002 by the National Security Agency (NSA). Judge Taylor ruled the warrantless wiretapping program unconstitutional and conducted in violation of the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). She ruled further that such actions violate the Separation of Powers doctrine and the First and Fourth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Judge Taylor ordered a halt to the domestic surveillance program based on her ruling.

Barr stated, “This is a win for all Americans – Judge Taylor has upheld the Constitution in her ruling and has defended the privacy rights of all Americans against overreaching federal power.” He said further that, “while we all support the Administration in its efforts to discover and thwart possible terrorist acts, including listening in on al Qaeda communications, our laws provide for a legal way for the government to proceed, and perhaps in light of this ruling the Administration will actually follow those laws.”

For further information, please visit www.bobbarr.org or contact Taryn Jones at 770.836.1776.

Barr, a former Member of Congress (1995-2003), has served with the U.S. Department of Justice and Central Intelligence Agency. He is a lawyer and currently works with organizations including the American Conservative Union Foundation and the ACLU on issues related to privacy and national security. He serves as Chairman for Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances.