Stuart Taylor Jr.

About the author: Stuart Taylor Jr. is a senior writer for National Journal.

Civil liberties have been curtailed in the wake of September 11, in some cases with little justification. But the claim of some civil libertarians that no curtailment of civil liberties is justified is simply false. Several law enforcement tactics that curtail civil liberties— including searches without a warrant, increased federal wiretapping and surveillance, coercive interrogation of suspects in custody, and detention of suspects who have not yet committed a crime—may be justified since they can help prevent terrorism. The responsible course of action is for legislators to determine what new governmental powers will improve homeland security and then set boundaries...