The Authorization for Use of Military Force, passed on September 18, 2001, gave the President new powers to fight terrorist activity related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Act authorized the President to use "all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons."
This Act was the basis for much of President Bush's policies and goals regarding terrorism, including interrogation methods and indefinite detentions in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.
It is often confused with the Patriot Act.
Categories: [United States Department of Homeland Security] [United States Law]