Changes

Unlike executive departments and agencies such as the [[Department of Justice]], [[FBI]], and CIA, the  National Security Council staff is not subject to Congressional authority and oversight, and operate outside the spotlight of public view.<ref>[http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/j-e-dyer/78202 National Security Council Reloaded], J. E. Dyer, ''Commentary blog'', 08.25.2009.</ref><ref>Tower Commission Report, p. 13.</ref> The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] made this point during the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|elections of 2008]] when the George W. Bush NSC staff was involved only in decisions and authorizations and before the Obama NSC staff took on an operational role.<ref>[http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/35595prs20080610.html?s_src=RSS ACLU Urges Congress to Examine White House National Security Council as Central Decision-Maker on Torture], ACLU Press Release, (6/10/2008).</ref>  

Unlike executive departments and agencies such as the [[Department of Justice]], [[FBI]], and CIA, the  National Security Council staff is not subject to Congressional authority and oversight, and operate outside the spotlight of public view.<ref>[http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/j-e-dyer/78202 National Security Council Reloaded], J. E. Dyer, ''Commentary blog'', 08.25.2009.</ref><ref>Tower Commission Report, p. 13.</ref> The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] made this point during the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|elections of 2008]] when the George W. Bush NSC staff was involved only in decisions and authorizations and before the Obama NSC staff took on an operational role.<ref>[http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/35595prs20080610.html?s_src=RSS ACLU Urges Congress to Examine White House National Security Council as Central Decision-Maker on Torture], ACLU Press Release, (6/10/2008).</ref>  

John Brennan, who was Obama's first choice as CIA Director, had his nomination withdrawn over allegations he was involved in enhanced interrogations of terror suspects during the administration of President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>[http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/11/hbc-90003909 John Brennan for CIA? Think Again], Scott Horton, ''[[Harper's Magazine]]'', November 24, 2008.</ref>

[[John Brennan]], who was Obama's first choice as CIA Director, had his nomination withdrawn over allegations he was involved in enhanced interrogations of terror suspects during the administration of President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>[http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/11/hbc-90003909 John Brennan for CIA? Think Again], Scott Horton, ''[[Harper's Magazine]]'', November 24, 2008.</ref>

<ref>[http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/ad_20081206_1783.php What's Behind Brennan's Withdrawal? Some former spies say left-leaning bloggers and columnists drove John Brennan out of consideration for CIA director], Shane Harris, ''National Journal Magazine'', Dec. 6, 2008.</ref>  As Obama's advisor on counterterrorism, Brennan was placed in charge of the operation.

<ref>[http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/ad_20081206_1783.php What's Behind Brennan's Withdrawal? Some former spies say left-leaning bloggers and columnists drove John Brennan out of consideration for CIA director], Shane Harris, ''National Journal Magazine'', Dec. 6, 2008.</ref>  As Obama's advisor on counterterrorism, Brennan was placed in charge of the operation.