Although the Obama Administration disagrees with John Yoo’s legal analyses, the Justice Department continues to defend Yoo in civil suits filed by former detainees. Politico reports:
At a court hearing Friday morning in San Francisco, government lawyers said that despite the change in administration, there has been no change in Yoo’s government-run legal defense against a suit brought by Jose Padilla, an American citizen who spent more than three years in a Navy brig after being designated as an enemy combatant.
“This administration has made no secret that we disagree with many of the previous administration’s legal policies on national security issues,” a Justice Department spokesman, Matt Miller, said after the court session. “Nevertheless, we generally defend employees or former employees of the department in litigation filed in connection with their official duties.” . . .
A Justice Department official, who asked not to be named, said the judge was advised that Obama appointees signed off on the legal strategy. “The positions taken in the briefs have been fully vetted within the administration,” the official said.
Meanwhile, John Yoo defends himself from criticism over the content of just-released memos he drafted while serving in the Office of Legal Counsel.