George W. Bush , president during the 9/11 terrorist attacks , approved the Patriot Act shortly after the attacks to take anti-terrorist security measures . Title 1 , 2 , and 9 specifically authorized measures that would be taken by the NSA . These titles granted enhanced domestic security against terrorism , surveillance procedures , and improved intelligence , respectively . On March 10 , 2004 , there was a debate between President Bush and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales , Attorney General John Ashcroft , and Acting Attorney General James Comey . The Attorneys General were unsure if the NSA 's programs could be considered constitutional . They threatened to resign over the matter , but ultimately the NSA 's programs continued . On March 11 , 2004 , President Bush signed a new authorization for mass surveillance of Internet records , in addition to the surveillance of phone records . This allowed the president to be able to override laws such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act , which protected civilians from mass surveillance . In addition to this , President Bush also signed that the measures of mass surveillance were also retroactively in place
9/11 terrorist attacks
September 11 attacks
National Security Agency