6. Civil war and suspension
This chapter details the American Civil War and President Abraham Lincoln’s role in acting quickly—and controversially—to protect critical areas in the North by claiming the unilateral power to suspend habeas. As is explored in the chapter, Lincoln proclaimed suspensions on his own and without congressional approval for some two years until the US Congress finally enacted suspension legislation. Along the way, Lincoln’s actions provoked a rebuke from the Chief Justice of the United States in Ex parte Merryman and raised important separation of powers questions. The chapter also explores how after the war, the Supreme Court held in Ex parte Milligan that the laws of war could not be applied to “citizens in states which have upheld the authority of the government, and where the courts are open and their process unobstructed.” Finally, the chapter discusses the precedent established by Lincoln’s actions.