As noted elsewhere, in an internal memo made available to Newsweek, then WH lawyer Alberto Gonzalez, warned Bush that his actions in regard to disregarding the Geneva Conventions as it applied to prisoners. Those actons ran counter to Treaties signed by the US, which become law when approved by the Senate, and also Federal Law Section 2441 [the War Crimes Act].
Doing so placed him and others in his admin in legal jeopardy.. The "lawyer" and "officer of the Court" Gonzalez advised Bush to break those laws, declare that he is above the law and they did not apply to his actions. <more>