Gaetz Moves To End FBI’s Illegal Surveillance Of Americans

Striking a blow against domestic surveillance, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Tuesday introduced a resolution that would permit Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to sunset at the end of 2023.

Gaetz and numerous Republican critics charge federal authorities have abused the rights granted under the act. This marks a growing trend, particularly among conservatives, to strike back at unchecked government power to track unsuspecting citizens.

FISA’s own court concluded the FBI misused this power at least 278,000 to spy on Americans. A May filing showed the agency utilized Section 702 illegally to follow Jan. 6 participants and George Floyd protesters.

The power was also used to track congressional campaign donors.

In a statement, the firebrand Republican charged that misuse of the power “underscores the disturbing trend of our federal government being weaponized against its people.”

Gaetz further demanded an end to the “blatant misuse of warrantless surveillance powers targeting Americans.” While acknowledging that national security must be protected, the congressman said this cannot come through infringing on constitutional rights. 

If Congress does not intervene, the surveillance authority granted by Section 702 will expire by the end of the year. 

The new resolution does not directly terminate those rights but asserts Congress’ position that they should not continue.

Section 702 of FISA was first enacted in 2008 authorizing warrantless electronic searches of Americans. 

Gaetz argued that legitimate law enforcement and national security interests are not sacrificed through this initiative. His concerns reflect a widening Republican distrust of Washington’s surveillance practices and drew an impressive list of co-sponsors.

Reps. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Matt Rosendale (R-MT) all signed off on the measure.

It is also noteworthy that the targets of these warrantless surveillance actions ranged from left-wing Black Lives Matter activists to right-wing Jan. 6 demonstrators. Government overreach, though typically targeting conservatives, has been proven to affect virtually anyone.

With this in mind, it is seemingly possible to enact enough congressional oversight that the fine balance between national security concerns and individual rights is maintained. The question is whether the rogue FBI is still capable of operating within constitutional limits.