Sunday, December 24, 2023

Christmas Comes Early for Government Snoops

According to Olsen, a Harvard Law alum, "We must be clear that the Constitution simply does not require a warrant for the FBI to examine its lawfully collected holdings, even using U.S. person queries." The FBI is the only agency with authority to act inside the U.S. against overseas threats, so "It's especially important for the FBI to conduct U.S. person queries at the early stages of a national security investigation." Olsen cites recent "Compliance issues" and "Errors" with such queries but fails to provide any details.

The FBI has implemented "New policies for holding their workforce accountable for FISA compliance" but Olsen does not explain how, exactly, these policies work.

The assistant attorney for national security cites no cases where such actions have been carried out, but does note that "There is more work to be done." Many "U.S. persons" might recall the case of Kevin Clinesmith, a lawyer with the FBI's National Security and Cyber Law division.

The FBI Hasn't Been Held Accountable Clinesmith forged a document that exposed Navy veteran Carter Page to FISA surveillance.

With all its money and power, the FBI failed to prevent the attack of Sept. 11, 2001, and most of the 3,000 dead were U.S. persons.

In the run-up to Christmas, Congress renews the FBI's power to continue warrantless searches on American citizens.

Olsen's pleadings aside, the stronger case is to change the FBI's motto to "Here's looking at you, kid." 

https://spectator.org/christmas-comes-early-for-government-snoops-fbi/

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