Since September 11th, the FBI has radically expanded and abused its authority in the name of fighting terrorism. Much of this came with the blessing of the U.S. Congress and attorney general, but even with loosened legal restraints, the FBI has repeatedly reached for more power to surveil, harass, and infiltrate communities based on their political beliefs and their race and religion. Earlier this month, James B. Comey became the 7th director of the FBI, replacing Director Robert S. Mueller III. Civil liberties groups are calling on Congress to use this transition as an opportunity to investigate and overhaul a law enforcement agency that has acquired sweeping powers, and has rampantly abused them. The American Civil Liberties Union recently released a new report that documents these violations. “Unleashed and Unaccountable: The FBI’s Unchecked Abuse of Authority” is a comprehensive look at the FBI’s post-9/11 evolution. Drawing from that report, and from my own reporting, here are 12 ways the FBI has overstepped its authority:
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 13:26:24 +0000
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