Analysts conclude Bush spying rationale is legally shaky

A report by Congress's research arm, The Congressional Research Service, concludes "that the administration's justification for the warrantless eavesdropping authorized by President Bush conflicts with existing law and hinges on weak legal arguments."

The 44-page CSR report said that President Bush probably cannot claim the broad powers he has relied upon to order the secret monitoring of U.S. citizens since the fall of 2001.

The findings of this report has prompted Democratic lawmakers and civil liberties advocates to call on Congress to conduct hearings on the monitoring program and attempt to stop it.

Categories: Government spying, Legality