Ruling That NSA Metadata Program Likely Violates the Constitution Hits Obama Administration

Judge Richard Leon's ruling comes shortly after proposed changes to surveillance programs were presented

In legal terms, a federal judge's decision Monday questioning the constitutionality of the National Security Agency's massive call-tracking program seems almost certain to have no practical significance.

In political terms, it comes at a critical time for the NSA and President Barack Obama.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon's ruling that the NSA's metadata program appears to violate the Fourth Amendment was issued just three days after a review group established by Obama delivered its report proposing more than 40 changes to the federal government's surveillance programs.