Just prior to the 100 day mark of the Obama presidency, US Senator Russ Feingold has released a "rule of law" report card . The Democratic lawmaker's biggest disappointment of the new administration is the use of the "state secrets" privilege regarding legal inquiry. An example Feingold cites says blockage of information surrounding "illegal wiretapping" is reminiscent of the Bush administration. Feingold gave the Obama administration a D grade although admits there has been improvement regarding the Freedom of Information Act.
He says President Obama should go back to President Clinton's executive order in which documents have a "presumption" of not being classified, an order that was reversed under the Bush presidency.
Feingold gave an A grade for enforcing a ban against torture and proper treatment of detainees.