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Recent disclosures have plunged the FBI back into a storm of controversy due to its abuse of the robust surveillance tool Section 702, with almost 300,000 incidents recorded in 2020 and early 2021. The unsettling instances of misuse encompass searches connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, and the Black Lives Matter protests. As conservatives, it is incumbent upon us to critically examine these activities and push for the changes needed to safeguard the rights and privacy of Americans.
Section 702 was established in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. This extensive communications database compiles massive quantities of information, encompassing emails, text messages and telephone conversations, in a bid to thwart terrorism and collect intel on foreign administrations. Although its central goal is to focus on foreigners, it inadvertently seizes the communications of U.S. residents and organizations communicating with these foreign individuals. The extent of the information held in this database is unknown, given that it encompasses data from across the globe, stored on servers worldwide.
One unsettling element of Section 702 lies in its potential for overstepping bounds and infringing on the privacy of American citizens. Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney, drew attention to situations where gathering intel on a foreign target, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, could unintentionally implicate American citizens in the data capture. This situation poses significant concerns regarding the safeguarding of Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights, which defend against unwarranted searches and seizures.
The recent disclosures bring to light the extensive and inappropriate utilization of Section 702 by the FBI.
The FBI carried out over 278,000 searches contravening Justice Department guidelines, targeting individuals with no connection to issues of national security. These searches ranged from investigating crime victims to individuals detained during protests, and even contributors to a congressional candidate. This sweeping and unmerited use of the database corrodes the faith entrusted in law enforcement agencies and endangers the civil liberties of citizens abiding by the law.
We must recognize that this isn’t the first instance where the FBI has come under scrutiny in relation to Section 702. Previous inspections have uncovered abuses, including searches involving the name of a congressional member. Advocates for civil liberties contend that the FBI employs this tool as a loophole for searches without a warrant, sidestepping judicial supervision. Although the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Section 702, Congress must exercise control and ensure that the tool is used responsibly.
Conservatives have long been critical of the FBI, particularly due to its involvement in the investigation of the Trump campaign’s alleged connections to Russia. The wiretapping of Trump campaign adviser Carter Page further fueled concerns about the agency’s actions. The recent report by special counsel John Durham raised serious questions about the FBI’s conduct during the Trump-Russia investigation. Consequently, Republicans in Congress have established a subcommittee to investigate potential abuses within the FBI and other federal agencies.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) expressed the sentiment shared by many conservatives, insisting that reauthorization without significant reforms is unlikely. Conservatives must support his stance and rally behind comprehensive reforms that address the misuse of Section 702, strengthen privacy protections and ensure that the FBI adheres to strict procedures in its use of the database.
Preserving the balance between national security and individual liberties is of paramount importance. As conservatives, we must hold our government accountable, demand transparency and safeguard the rights enshrined in our Constitution. The misuse of Section 702 by the FBI serves as a stark reminder that vigilant oversight and reforms are necessary to prevent further encroachments on Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.
Clear guidelines must be established to minimize the incidental collection of U.S. residents’ data and prevent abuse of the database for unrelated purposes. Congress should also implement robust reporting requirements, ensuring that the FBI provides regular updates on its use of Section 702 and any associated violations.
The FBI has a history of overstepping its boundaries in surveilling American citizens. The FBI monitored prominent figures such as Aretha Franklin and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and even attempted to blackmail Dr. King, showcasing a pattern of abuse. These cases serve as reminders of the dangers of unchecked power and the need for stringent oversight.
The recent misuse of Section 702 by the FBI highlights the urgent need for oversight and reforms. We must strike a balance between national security and individual liberties, demanding transparency, accountability and respect for constitutional rights. The reauthorization of Section 702 should only occur with substantial reforms that address the systemic issues and prevent future encroachments on Americans’ privacy. As conservatives, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the principles that make our nation exceptional.
The Dems are a parody of the Bolsheviks from the former Soviet Union and the FBI have became a lightweight version of the KGB
Our garbage “news media” studiously have ignored that, in 2012, Obama gave 17 “private contractors” full access to the NSA’s 702 database. Finally, in 2016, NSA Director Admiral Rogers commissioned an audit of the use of the database by these contractors (who have never been identified) and found that, over the six month period of their use of the database that was audited, there were tens of thousands of database queries by them, 85% of which violated rules, especially with regard to minimization and masking requirements. This hasn’t been widely reported and no questions have been asked about the basis for giving the contractors access, who the contractors were, what data the exfiltrated from the database including the identities of who they sought information on, or what was done with the information. The 702 database is a very powerful source of information on any url or phone number plugged in and all information on communications “from or to” that location (tab 16) or all information “about” that electronic address (tab 17). Admiral Rogers terminated all private contractor access in April 2017. But from our media, utter silence even though much ofvthe above information was the subject of a 99 page opinion by the then presiding judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Rosemary Collyer. What do you think the coverage would have been had Trump or any Republican President given his political supporters such access which they used to spy on American political or policy opponents? Yet no one seems to have any interest whatsoever in this story, reflecting so poorly, as it does, on Obama and the Democrats.
The Patriot Act was the Polonium Poison Pellet Pistol Bush prepared and presented to Obama.
No one speculates how such a complex legislative construct appeared so quickly, and in such complete form. Almost as if it had been prepared in advance, awaiting its moment.
That sick feeling that’s had your guts rumbling is polonium poisoning. Treatment is symptomatic. That’s code for the fact that there exists no cure. That is, it’s working perfectly.
The Republic is beginning its death throes.
The FBI is as much of a demented perversion as the demented pervert who crafted it. Jimmy Stewart propaganda films to the contrary.
Correction . . .
There was no assault by the Jan 6th patriots on the Capitol building.
However, there was a planned set-up and assault ON the Jan 6th patriots.
They had been a festive tailgate-party.
So what changed it?
The chickenshit DC Stazi lured them into the ellipsis, then fired on them for half an hour with rubber bullets, “sting” bombs, flash-bangs, and tear gas.
The unprovoked & sustained assault on the well behaved patriots (with the help of provocateurs) finally baited them into the Rotunda.
The fact that they had witnessed the death of Kevin Greeson as a direct result of that attack had soured their high spirits. (Kevin Greeson was killed – a pellet to the eye induced his heart attack. He was the 1st casualty.)
The rest is made up, bullshit history. (My 1st clue the story we were told was bullshit was when we found out officer Sicknick was NOT bludgeoned with a fire extinguisher.)
Listen! If a kid taking a picture of an “old” submarine he was stationed on (harmless pics by the way), and be given a year in prison…maybe a year in prison for “inadvertent” searches for FBI staff who authorised the query – might end the practice.
Congress should bring the FBI to heel on many fronts. This one might be a good test case. These agencies work for “we the people” Not the surveilance state! We can take our country back but we need our elected reps to do it!