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David Rittgers
Legal Policy Analyst
David Rittgers is a legal policy analyst who concentrates on civil liberties, counterterrorism, and criminal justice. Prior to joining Cato, Mr. Rittgers served in the United States Army as an Infantry and Special Forces officer, including three tours in Afghanistan. He has been awarded an Army Commendation Medal with a "V" Device for valorous action and two Bronze Star Medals, and continues to serve as a reserve Judge Advocate. Rittgers has published articles in the Wall Street Journal, the Christian Science Monitor, National Review (Online), Findlaw, and The First Amendment Law Review. He has appeared on Fox's The O'Reilly Factor, CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, the BBC, and NPR's Talk of the Nation. In 2009, Mr. Rittgers was selected as one of the Center for a New American Security's Next Generation National Security Leaders Program. Rittgers earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina and is a member of the Virginia bar. Any views expressed by Mr. Rittgers are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Defense or the Army.
Media Contact: 202-789-5200
To Book a Speaking Engagement: 202-789-5226
E-Mail: drittgers@cato.org
Opinion and Commentary
"Federal Hall Monitors on Patrol," Huffington Post, June 9, 2011
"How Police Are Turning Military," The Politico, June 8, 2011
"Did Waterboarding Work?," Los Angeles Times, May 31, 2011
"Domestic Military Detention Isn't Necessary," Huffington Post, May 9, 2011
"V-OBL Day," DC Examiner, May 2, 2011
Cato @ Liberty Blog Posts
"When Cops Go Commando, It’s No Laughing Matter," June 8, 2011
"Department of Education SWAT Raid for Unpaid Student Loans," June 8, 2011
"Operator Disconnect," June 8, 2011
"The War on Cameras Continues," June 7, 2011
"Waterboarding, Again," May 31, 2011
Legal Briefs
Seven-Sky v. Holder, May 23, 2011 (PDF, 122 KB)
Florida v. U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Services, May 11, 2011 (PDF, 104 KB)
Virginia v. Sebelius, April 4, 2011 (PDF, 89 KB)
Thomas More Law Center v. Obama, December 22, 2010 (PDF, 97 KB)
Virginia v. Sebelius, October 1, 2010 (PDF, 71 KB)
Events
"Leashing the Surveillance State: How to Renew and Reform Patriot Act Surveillance Authorities," May 16, 2011 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Recording the Police: Is Citizen Journalism against the Law? ," September 22, 2010 [Policy Forum]
"How Overreaction and Misdirection Play into the Strategy of Terrorism," May 11, 2009 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
Multimedia
David Rittgers discusses his Politico op-ed on the militarization of police on WSPD's The Brian Wilson Show (June 10, 2011) [Media Highlights - Radio, 18:11]
David Rittgers on his Politico article on the police on The Brett Winterble Show (June 8, 2011) [Media Highlights - Radio, 09:28]
Botched SWAT Raid Kills Iraq War Veteran (May 27, 2011) [Daily Podcast, 09:33]
David Rittgers discusses Pakistan on WWL's Think Tank with Garland Robinette (May 18, 2011) [Media Highlights - Radio, 09:25]
Leashing the Surveillance State: How to Renew and Reform Patriot Act Surveillance Authorities with Julian Sanchez, Michael German and Brandon Arnold (May 16, 2011) [Events, 45:14]
Feeds for Cato events: 