In the wake of the targeted assassinations of Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki, we are deeply troubled by the precendent of the U.S. government targeting and killing one of its own citizens without due process of law.
We understand that there may be reasons of national security why such actions are necessary. Nevertheless, given the way such actions appear to contradict the very foundations of our legal system, we feel it is imperative of you, as president of the United States and Constitutional expert, to offer an explanation we can understand.
How else are we to trust you and future presidents that this use of executive power will not be abused?