The specific intelligence activities that were permitted by the Presidential Authorizations remain highly classified, except that beginning in December 2005 the President and other Administration officials acknowledged that these activities included the interception without a court order of certain international communications where there is 'a reasonable basis to conclude that one party to the communication is a member of al-Qa'ida, affiliated with al-Qa'ida, or a member of an organization affiliated with al-Qa'ida'.

^ U.S. Department of Justice White Paper on NSA Legal Authorities. "Legal Authorities Supporting the Activities of the National Security Agency Described by the President" (PDF). January 19, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2013.

^ "Gonzales defends wiretaps amid protest". CNN. January 26, 2006. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2007.; "Lawyers Group Criticizes Surveillance Program". The Washington Post. February 14, 2006. Retrieved September 1, 2008.

^ "Judge Asked to Suspend Ruling Against Wiretaps". The Washington Post. February 9, 2006. Retrieved September 1, 2008.

^ Hopkins, Andrea (July 6, 2007). "Court dismisses lawsuit on spying program". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006. Retrieved September 1, 2008.

^ Gonzales, Alberto (January 17, 2007). 