John Yoo Quotes

"That is the litmus test that distinguishes legal conservatives from liberals: What is the proper role of the courts in deciding contentious, divisive social issues? ... It would be very surprising to see someone who clerked for Rehnquist, who worked for Ronald Reagan , to change from that basic view."
-John Yoo

"I think it depends on why the president thinks he needs to do that."
-John Yoo

"[Former co-clerk Saikrishna Prakash recalls teasing,] John, break out the crystal ball and tell us what the framers thought. ... Yes, I consulted the framers. You're all wrong, and I'm right."
-John Yoo

"It's a document that reinforces tradition, ... incremental changes."
-John Yoo

"The Bush administration policy is against torture of any kind; it's prohibited by federal criminal law."
-John Yoo

"It shows an interest in thinking deeply about the role of the courts in society and the proper interpretation of the Constitution based on its text and history."
-John Yoo

"If you believe those rules have been changed by the state Supreme Court in this instance, you have the legal right and indeed the constitutional duty at that point to intervene."
-John Yoo

"I thought of John Roberts as a peace offering. President Bush could have nominated someone much more conservative."
-John Yoo