President Obama defended secret programs in the face of questions , criticism . For that reason , this week 's disclosures pose a problem for Obama at a time when the Internal Revenue Service has been cited for targeting conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status for extra scrutiny . Obama 's defense of Bush - era secret programs is a departure from his Senate days . Analyst : Increased homegrown terrorism challenges American views of the Patriot Act . Critics say debating the Act requires more details of what the government is doing .
President Obama defended secret programs in the face of questions , criticism . Obama 's defense of Bush - era secret programs is a departure from his Senate days . Analyst : Increased homegrown terrorism challenges American views of the Patriot Act . Critics say debating the Act requires more details of what the government is doing .