AP, August 18, 2006 10:55 AM ET
DETROIT The Justice Department launched an appeal within hours of a federal judge’s ruling that, for the first time, struck down President Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program as an unconstitutional infringement on the right to privacy and free speech. The judge on Thursday ordered an immediate halt to the program, but the government said it would request a stay during the appeals process, arguing that the secret surveillance program is crucial to stopping terrorists. More (offsite link)…

Rules warrantless domestic surveillance program unconstitutional
DETROIT - A federal judge ruled Thursday that the government�s warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and ordered an immediate halt to it. U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit became the first judge to strike down the National Security Agency�s program, which she says violates the rights to free speech and privacy as well as the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. More (offsite link)…