Justice Department memo sets out the conditions for using lethal force . The 16-page white paper -- titled `` Lawfulness of a Lethal Operation Directed Against a U.S. Citizen who is a Senior Operational Leader of Al Qaida or an Associated Force '' -- is a policy paper rather than an official legal document . The 16-page document is a policy paper , not an official legal document . `` Clear evidence '' of an imminent attack on the United States is not required . " I think this is what you are referring to as "evidence" that there was no attack. White House says questions weighed against legal concerns , discussed publicly .
Justice Department memo sets out the conditions for using lethal force . The 16-page document is a policy paper , not an official legal document . `` Clear evidence '' of an imminent attack on the United States is not required . " I think this is what you are referring to as "evidence" that there was no attack. White House says questions weighed against legal concerns , discussed publicly .