Redefining US ‘homeland security’ post-9/11: Extra-judicial measures, vigilantism and xenophobia

In describing the Act as 'a key part - and often the leading role - in a number of successful operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists dedicated to destroying America and our way of life', the Department of Justice (DOJ) conflated US security with the disruption of civil liberties (DOJ). [...]the 2001 USA Patriot Act, NSEERS and the US government's declaration of its War on Terror are legally justified because they are based upon [pre-existing] legislation and legal precedence exercised by the US government during moments of national crisis throughout US history.