Bush ‘overstepped authority’ in detaining US citizens

PRESIDENT George W Bush has overstepped his authority since the September 11 attacks by jailing American citizens suspected of links to terrorism and denying them access to lawyers and courts, an attorney for a US-born terrorism suspect told the Supreme Court yesterday.

“Never before in history has this court granted the president a blank cheque to do whatever he wants to American citizens,” lawyer Jennifer Martinez argued on behalf of Jose Padilla, a former Chicago gang member and alleged al-Qaida associate.

Government lawyer Paul Clement countered that Congress gave the president broad powers to go after terrorists and head off future threats at home or abroad.