I didn't craft the authorization. I am responding to a lawful order.

The constitutional standard is reasonable. ... I am convinced that we are lawful because what it is we are doing is reasonable.

I can say unequivocally that we have gotten information through this program that would not otherwise have been available.

This program has been successful in detecting and preventing attacks inside the United States, I can say unequivocally, all right, that we have got information through this program that would not otherwise have been available.

We're going to live on the edge. My spikes will have chalk on them.... We're pretty aggressive within the law. As a professional, I'm troubled if I'm not using the full authority allowed by law.

When I turned 18, was the first time that I really started concentrating on politics. And I started doing so because I realized that in order to really create and generate change, it has to come from changing laws... so I started campaigning for Norman Lear's foundation, which was Declare Yourself.