This week Obama announced that he intends to prosecute prisoners before military tribunals. The administration is taking pains to point out that Obama is not embracing the Bush policy. These will be Obama’s tribunals, not Bush’s. But since Mr. Obama’s executive order can be revised or withdrawn at any time, the new and improved procedures do not amount to much. The tribunals were wrongheaded under Bush and the critique applies equally well to Obama’s “new” policy.

As others have noted, Obama has now embraced tribunals, Gitmo, and the Patriot Act. Bad news, but at least Obama kept his promises to end the wars and get us on a sound financial footing.

For additional Cato work related to military tribunals, go here and here.