In the case of a national emergency such as a Katrina-type storm or an act of terrorism, the White House will assume control over the other branches of government, according to a new Presidential Directive.
"With scarcely a mention in the mainstream media, President Bush has [issued] a new National Security Presidential Directive. Under that plan, he entrusts himself with leading the entire federal government, not just the Executive Branch.
He laid this all out in a document entitled "National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD 51" and "Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-20." The White House released it on May 9.
It defines a "catastrophic emergency" as "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government function."
This could mean another 9/11, or another Katrina, or a major earthquake in California...since it says it would include "localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies."
The document waves at the need to work closely with the other two branches, saying there will be "a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government." But this effort will be "coordinated by the President, as a matter of comity with respect to the legislative and judicial branches and with proper respect for the constitutional separation of powers."
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