Reported memo about drones targeting American terrorists

This transcript is automatically generated

Well tomorrow the secret drone program run by the United States will get some rare public scrutiny when the president's pick to be CIA director John Brennan.

At pier is at his senate confirmation hearing at a soccer fans as we digest a memo which the -- -- government outlined its legal rationale.

For using drone strikes against Americans.

Fox News has confirmed the authenticity of that report in the policy authorizes the killing of American citizens overseas.

In drone strikes if they are leaders of al-Qaeda or an associated terror group.

Former US ambassador to you and John Bolton is a Fox News contributors and a look at the story with us ambassador -- different sides of the story there's the public side.

The policy side.

The politics side.

So let's start with how this affects -- the public as a matter of national security what do you think of what you've heard about the drone program and how it's moving forward.

In our war on terror.

Well as best that we can tell from the public reports.

It seems to me that the approach that the Obama administration is following is consistent with and really derived from.

The Bush Administration approach to the war on terror and and I think it's entirely sensible.

Whether it's foreign.

Citizens who -- involved with al-Qaeda or American citizens we are in a war they have attacked us we have a congressional authorization to use military force in response.

And that's what's at stake here this is not you know robbing the 7-Eleven down on the corner these people are engaged in war against the United States.

And whether there are American citizens are not.

We are entitled is a basic matter of our inherent right of self defense to respond accordingly.

Let's talk a little bit about policy not just now but decades into the future which we have to consider as well.

As a matter.

Policy and how this is being applied right now.

Do you have any concerns about how it could be used under a different administration.

At a different time.

Well I think it could be used less effectively by an -- future American administration -- the use.

Unmanned aerial vehicles UAV's.

It is a huge step forward in our capability to defend ourselves because otherwise we might have to put.

American pilots up and very dangerous places.

Risking their lives this is a way to go after the terrorist.

In it that makes it far safer far less likely we're gonna have American casualties and can be used.

For intelligence gathering very important function as well as actually.

Attacking the terrorists themselves.

So let's talk politics a little bit currency John -- tomorrow answering some questions about this program for both Democrats and Republicans and it is you know.

It is politics as you know ambassador Bolton there's going to be a lot of questions on the world stage.

-- out this highly secretive program.

What questions do you think John -- needs to answer and -- what questions yet concerned about just in the fact that it's going to be in the public -- Well I'm sure he's gonna get asked a lot about it is opponents from the right and the left are gonna try and toasting with this and and a variety of other issues.

I think there's a lot of it frankly that should not be discussed in in public and I think what -- and needs to do.

On the drone issue.

Is trying to explain that a lot of the criticisms that are being levied.

That's simply missed the point as I said before this is not robbing the local Starbucks down at the corner this is not a criminal law matter this is a an issue that falls under the paradigm of the law of war.

Where the commander in chief's powers.

Are plenary and where we don't have.

Judicial review.

Commander in chief decisions and I think it's it's a sound case.

And from his own perspective he needs to make it effectively.

We'll watch that tomorrow basketball -- cat and -- program as always thank you.

Thank you again.

Watch Live

Reported memo about drones targeting American terrorists

Details

Clips

Around the World

Message behind Moscow's alleged spy bust

New concerns as Syrian conflict intensifies

What is Ansar Al-Sharia?

Will Benghazi hearings produce answers to 3 key questions?

Assessing national security threat from North Korea

Tracking new threats from Al Qaeda

Is Israel prepared for a proxy war with Iran?

Signal to Iran? Pentagon bulks up its 'bunker buster' bomb

What caused deadly cargo plane crash in Afghanistan?

Lieberman 'troubled' by President Obama's comments on Syria

Do 'red line' declarations make sound foreign policy?

Sen. McCain: Assad regime crossed 'red line'

Transcript

Recommended