About that federal judge who ruled that Bush can’t designate terrorist groups

By now I’m sure you’ve already heard the news that U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins, in a ruling against the government, ruled that the President doesn’t have the Constitutional authority to designate terrorist groups. Via AP:

LOS ANGELES – A federal judge struck down President Bush’s authority to designate groups as terrorists, saying his post-Sept. 11 executive order was unconstitutional and vague.

Some parts of the Sept. 24, 2001 order tagging 27 groups and individuals as “specially designated global terrorists” were too vague and could impinge on First Amendment rights of free association, U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins said.

The order gave the president “unfettered discretion” to label groups without giving them a way to challenge the designations, she said in a Nov. 21 ruling that was made public Tuesday.

The judge, who two years ago invalidated portions of the U.S. Patriot Act, rejected several sections of Bush’s Executive Order 13224 and enjoined the government from blocking the assets of two foreign groups.

However, she let stand sections that would penalize those who provide “services” to designated terrorist groups.

As the article hints, this judge has a history of ruling against anti-terrorism legislation. Captain Ed and Michelle Malkin provide some background on Judge Collins and some of her prior rulings against counterterrorism legislation.

It isn’t known yet whether or not the government will appeal. Stay tuned.

Hat tip: Stop The ACLU

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