I don't think that's accurate to say. The White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in his briefing a day or two ago that the administration backs Comey's efforts. US attorney general Loretta Lynch said she backs Comey too. Obama is the only one who hasn't made a public statement about this issue.

Chain of command, by the way, is Obama > Lynch > Comey. They're certainly in communication and agreement about this issue.

You might think Obama would feel differently given his rebuke of China last year for attempting to set the same kind of precedent. But no, he fails to see the similarity. It's scary. The highest ranking official who understands this issue is Ted Lieu.

> The highest ranking official who understands this issue is Ted Lieu.

You mean the highest ranking official who agrees with us. It's easy to see how, if you trust the US judicial system, you'd be okay with this. If you think warrants are only given in valid and justified situations, this wouldn't bother you, because this'd only be used for "good".

We know better, but that's probably not the position the head of one of the branches of government (and a scholar of the highest law of the judicial branch, even) finds himself in. Obama probably very much trusts the US justice system.

> You mean the highest ranking official who agrees with us

Yup that's what I meant.

> Obama probably very much trusts the US justice system

Hmm, Obama certainly wants Apple to comply here. However, he has no power to sway the justices.

Obama didn't want to go to congress for a new law surrounding this issue, and seems to have directed Comey to use the AWA. Obama hasn't said why he didn't go to congress. It seems like he wants to set precedent while acting like it's only for this one phone. Pretty sneaky if that's the case.

Personally I trust our right to express our views both in speech and through our votes. I trust that elected officials can represent those of us who voted and wish to be represented. The problem is we have not yet elected enough people who understand computers. And, that's not entirely our fault. It's a new field and there are not many people with exposure to it who can represent our views.