Electronic eavesdropping without warrants was “fully consistent with my constitutional responsibilities and authorities”, according to President George W. Bush.

Delivering his weekly radio address live from the Oval Office, Bush reacted to revelations in the New York Times that he had ordered the National Security Agency to conduct a bugging program without first obtaining warrants. The president claimed the program was “a vital tool in our war against the terrorists”.

Bush also called on the Senate to re-authorise the Patriot Act which was passed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. [Read more…]