Holder says Obama plans to explain drone policy

By Peter Finn, Updated: Wednesday, March 6, 1:04 PM

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. told a Senate committee Wednesday that he expects President Obama to explain the legal rationale underpinning the use of armed drones to target and kill U.S. citizens overseas.

Obama said in his State of the Union speech last month that he would be more transparent about the targeted killing program, and Holder said the administration is struggling with the need to fulfill that pledge.

Under questioning from Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee about the drone policy, including circumstances in which it might be appropriate on American soil, Holder said he expects “you will hear the president speak about this.”

“We have talked about a need for greater transparency in what we share, what we talk about,” said Holder, who added that with the release of more information, “there would be a greater degree of comfort that this government does these things reluctantly but also in conformity with international law, with domestic law and with our values.”

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