FBI abused surveillance, 278,000 instances on American citizens

Just last week, Convention of States reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation showed up at the childhood home of a pro-life activist, Elise Ketch, who alleged that the federal government was attempting to intimidate her. She called the scary incident proof of the “weaponization of our government.”

Frighteningly, a new report suggests that the FBI abused its authority to collect information about U.S. citizens over 278,000 times between 2020 and 2021 alone.

According to a bombshell court document obtained by The Washington Post, the FBI “frequently” accessed a surveillance database in violation of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which dictates that the FBI may only search the database for foreign intelligence information when they have a compelling reason to believe their search will yield such information. Shockingly, the agency instead used the surveillance tool to dig up dirt on suspected Jan. 6 and BLM rioters and a congressional candidate’s donors.

“After the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, an FBI employee ran batches of inquiries that amounted to 23,132 separate queries of presumed Americans,” the Post reported. Ultimately, “Justice Department officials concluded that there was no specific factual basis to think the searches would turn up foreign intelligence information or evidence of a crime.”

Reportedly, these queries involved probing suspects’ private communications, including emails and texts.

In the case of investigating the donors to a congressional campaign, 19,000 queries were made. The violation was allegedly justified by the false pretext that the campaign was being targeted by foreign influences, which was ultimately debunked in court.  

So, not only has the FBI shown an audacious willingness to intimidate everyday Americans, like Elise Ketch, who engage in “unapproved” behavior, but we know now that it is also violating federal protocol to search through our private messages. 

Is there any question that the FBI is out of hand? Is there any question that a government that investigates noncriminal activists and political donors has become a threat to its people?

The good news is that it’s now clearer than ever that America needs Convention of States.

With an Article V convention, the American people, through their state legislatures, can propose constitutional amendments that limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials. After passing out of convention, amendments would then come back to the states for ratification before going into effect. The process is safe, peaceful, and straight from the Constitution.

We the People of the United States must stand up to our government while we still have the freedom to do so.

To join Convention of States in the fight to preserve liberty and end federal corruption, sign the petition below!