This has Wolin's discussion of Reagan's executive privilege (Presence of the Past, Ch2) written all over it.

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Defiant Bush defends wiretapping powers
Tuesday December 20, 2005

George Bush claimed yesterday that he had the constitutional authority to order phone taps on US citizens without court approval, but denied he was seeking "unchecked power".

The president went on the offensive in a battle with Congress over the balance of power, arguing that bold executive action was needed to keep Americans safe. He scolded the Senate for failing to renew anti-terrorist legislation, the "patriot act", and fiercely defended his authorisation of a secret eavesdropping programme after the September 11 attacks.