but several places. in the first amendment, the establishment clause and free exercise clause those provide restrictions on the executive branch's ability to place restrictions on people's religious beliefs. the equal protection clause also redundantly protects people's religious beliefs and practices and so the government is making a terrifying argument and it's similar to arguments that the executive branch has made in defense of some of the most despicable policies including torture, indefinite detention, indiscriminate surveillance. so we're seeing a recycling of those same tired arguments the executive branch is omnipotent and all powerful. >> gadeir abbas, thank you for being here, sir, we appreciate your time. >> thank you. >> joining me now is a fellow at the international center for counterterrorism at the hague, steve clemens and former intelligence officer malcolm nantz, now an msnbc terrorism