The U.S. Constitution mentions an archaic, oddly-named privilege called the writ of habeas corpus in its Article I, Section 9, Clause 2. Let’s read Clause 2 together: “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” President Lincoln partially suspended the writ in certain key military corridors during the Civil War. It led to a showdown with the Supreme Court in a famous case called Ex parte Merryman. Merryman, who lived in Maryland, was arrested by the U.S. military in May, 1861, for...