The NY Daily News is reporting that President Bush used a signing statement over the winter recess to grant himself the ability to open people's postal mail without a warrant.
They say:
"The President asserted his new authority when he signed a postal reform bill into law on Dec. 20. Bush then issued a "signing statement" that declared his right to open people's mail under emergency conditions.
That claim is contrary to existing law and contradicted the bill he had just signed, say experts who have reviewed it."
You can read the complete story at the NY Daily News
.
In it, the White House claims that this new power is required for special circumstances, though legal experts quickly pointed out that there are fast (and legal) methods of getting warrants, and that the Post Office can hold mail until warrants are obtained.