John D. Altenburg - Named Appointing Authority For Military Commissions

Named Appointing Authority For Military Commissions

In December 2003, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld appointed General Altenburg to serve as the appointing authority for military commissions.

Military Commission Order No. 1, dated March 21, 2002, describes the duties of the appointing authority. The appointing authority

is responsible for overseeing many aspects of the military commission process, including approving charges against individuals the president has determined are subject to the military order of November 13, 2001. Among other things, the appointing authority is also responsible for appointing military commission members, approving plea agreements and supervising the Office of the Appointing Authority. Altenburg will serve in this capacity as a civilian.

After the Military Commissions were declared by the Supreme Court to require additional Congressional authority, the Congress effected new legislation in order to allow a modified form of the commissions to proceed. The Military Commissions Act passed in September 2006. "Altenburg said he agreed to stay on the job until a draft manual implementing the new Military Commissions Act was complete. He said the draft went to superiors at the Pentagon and Justice Department on October 27, and he submitted his resignation immediately afterwards. His last day was November 10."