John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesman, has emphatically stressed the indispensable nature of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). He asserts that failing to renew this vital piece of legislation could lead to “one of the most catastrophic intelligence failures of our time.”
Initially enacted by Congress in 2008, Section 702 of FISA has become a fundamental tool in the arsenal of the U.S. to bolster national security. The provision grants intelligence agencies the power to execute warrantless surveillance of foreigners outside the U.S. However, although this law prohibits targeting Americans, there’s a coincidental collection of American citizens’ information, which has ignited considerable debates about civil liberty among politicians from all political spectra.
The urgency of this issue is paramount as Section 702 expires on December 31 unless reauthorized by Congress. Kirby underscores its critical role, labeling it as “one of the nation’s most vital intelligence tools,” effectively safeguarding the U.S. from various threats, from Chinese antagonism to terrorism, from fentanyl trafficking to cyber-attacks such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware event.
Endorsement for Section 702 also comes from the White House Intelligence Advisory Board, which deems the program “essential” for the U.S.’ defense against terrorism, cyber threats, foreign adversaries, lethal drugs, and other dangers. The Board acknowledges the FBI’s misuse of 702 data but firmly believes the national security benefits offered by Section 702 outweigh any potential future infringements of American citizens’ constitutional rights.
However, despite the pivotal role of Section 702 in the country’s security, its history of misuse has led to considerable skepticism among lawmakers. One of the most notable misuses involved the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation into President Donald Trump and his associates, during which FISA authority was improperly used against Carter Page, a Trump associate. The warrant justifying this surveillance later contained numerous errors and omissions.
Further troubling revelations in 2021 showed that the FBI had used FISA authority for over 3.3 million queries from American citizens, including a sitting member of Congress. Such revelations led the FBI to commit to internal reforms. However, a court opinion unsealed in 2022 discovered additional improper searches by FBI employees even after the supposed reform.
This series of abuses has led to bipartisan calls for legislative changes to ensure civil liberties. However, Kirby firmly believes in the necessity of Section 702’s renewal without imposing potentially harmful restrictions. He has called for “measures that build on proven reforms to enhance compliance and oversight, among other improvements.”
Despite past missteps, Kirby maintains that Section 702’s advantages outweigh its issues, and he, along with the defense and intelligence community, is working with Congress to ensure its reauthorization. This controversial yet critical legislation’s fate remains in the balance, raising concerns over national security and civil liberties alike.
Whenever unelected officials have access to tools that can potentially be used to violate the Constitutional rights of American citizens, you can be sure that the Biden Administration will use them to do just that. We have a system of checks and balances, hence the 3 branches of government, but the current executive branch has rendered the other 2 branches null and void. Joe Biden is merely a globalist puppet. He’s corrupt to his core, as are his lap-dog lackeys in his administration. They need to be held accountable, and severe consequences are warranted.
Please we need a 702. We the people want to feel safe. I almost got rearended twice after I seen Celino flush on thruway today after a furnal service. Blackrock and Celino law and flush has satellites to stalk me. Now I see how I’ve been in so many accidents and death follows me.
My take on this legislation is as follows. The agent or intelligence officers/supervisor/ judge who request/sign off on this 702 must be on record. There should be no less than 5 judges that has to agree to this request. Each and every agent/officer, supervisor and judges are on the hook for this 702 request if in any way shape or form that this request doesn’t meet the standards or is known to be false, questionable or non verified all individuals are held accountable. 5 yrs mandatory sentence, fined 1yrs salary, immediate removal of office/position and lost of all future benefits and pensions. This 702 legislation needs to be the last avenue of the DOJ, FBI, NSA or FBI and every I must be dotted and every t crossed. WE THE PEOPLE need to hold every government official to the ultimate standard or get the F–K OUT. GOD BLESS THE USA
KIRBY IS CORRUPT , I WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ONE LIE AFTER ANOTHER THAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH. GREED, CORRUPTION, POWER.
Our LE is proving itself to not be responsible when it comes to ensuring citizens’ rights are respected. There are stings being done all over the country where men are on ADULT dating sites, looking for ADULT companionship, LE steps in, sets up a sting, pretend to be an adult then pretend to be a minor in order to entrap these men. Role play is very common on these sites. Men are confused and think they can show up and just check out what is really going on, but as soon as they arrive they are arrested, They are never given a chance to check ID or even look at the person. Their mugshots are shown all over the media before they even have their day in court. Their lives are destroyed. Their families’ lives are financially destroyed. For what??? Don’t they have real children to rescue??? How many children ARE THEY RESCUING IN THIS MANNER???