In CCR v. Bush the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit against the Bush Presidency, challenging the National Security Agency's (NSA's) surveillance of people within the United States, including the interception of CCR emails without securing a warrant first.[1][2] The lawsuit was filed on January 17, 2006. The Center's lawyers argued that the warrantless wiretap program was: "... illegal because it lacks judicial approval or statutory authorization,"
The Center's description of the suit stated:[2]
"Given that the government has accused many of CCR's overseas clients of being associated with Al Qaeda or of interest to the 9/11 investigation, there is little question that these attorneys have been subject to the NSA Surveillance Program. This lawsuit aims to protect CCR attorneys' right to represent their clients free of unlawful and unchecked surveillance."
The Center filed for summary judgment on March 9, 2006.[2]
The Center quoted a letter to the United States Senate from Alberto Gonzales:
"Although the program does not specifically target the communications of attorneys or physicians, calls involving such persons would not be categorically excluded from interception."