Lietzau will be central to decisions about trying the remaining Guantanamo detainees in reformed military commissions or in federal courts, and to the construction of a new terrorism detention policy.

As civil libertarians cheer the Obama administration’s decision to hold a criminal trial for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, they question the rationale behind other terror suspects’ continued military detention.

Lower court granted “qualified immunity” to U.S. officials because it wasn’t clear at the time that abusing Guantanamo prisoners was illegal.

Although the government has said that warrantless wiretapping under the Terrorist Surveillance Program has stopped, the Obama administration has not said that warrantless wiretapping isn’t ongoing under some other program.

The latest in a string of lawsuits challenging harsh interrogation techniques could fare better than similar cases.

Recent statements show broad support for inquiry into White House decisions.

President Obama confirmed Wednesday that he plans to keep the controversial military commissions alive.

The possibility prompts fervent opposition from Republicans, who say the 9/11 terrorists should never be allowed anywhere on U.S. soil, let alone in a civilian U.S. court.

The administration insists there is no constitutional right to humane treatment by U.S. authorities outside the United States.

Human rights experts say there is a serious risk that some of the Guantanamo detainees cleared for release could face persecution or torture.