This week, Attorney General Eric Holder and DCIA nominee John Brennan both responded, separately and in writing, to Senator Rand Paul's inquiry regarding the government's authority to use lethal force against an American citizen within the United States, and without trial.

Though shorter and less detailed, the two letters together echo some points Jack made a few weeks ago on Lawfare. Here is Brennan's letter, in full:

And here is the Attorney General's response to Senator Paul: