Republicans loved FISA until the court started digging into Trump’s dealings with Russia. The only reason for Donald Trump to block FISA is so any foreign agents in communication with him will less likely be caught.
It’s another posturing distraction in service of the 2024 campaign.
The Donald wants to 'kill FISA' because he might want to sell (more) stolen documents. Also, he wants international terrorists unobserved and orders the GOP to help them 'kill FISA'.
A group of House Republicans on Wednesday tanked a procedural vote to begin debate on a bill to reauthorize the nation’s warrantless surveillance powers, leaving the chamber scrambling on how to address the important spy tool before it expires next week.
Nineteen Republicans joined Democrats in voting against a rule for legislation to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), blocking the measure from advancing 193-228.
The move comes after former President Trump on Wednesday urged Republicans to “KILL FISA” — throwing a wrench in an already contentious debate.
The failed vote marks yet another instance of members of the GOP tanking what is typically a routine party-line vote to protest legislation put forward by leadership.
Led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and other MAGA-aligned conservatives, the group offered conflicting rationales for blocking the bill.
They were upset with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for backing the legislation without a warrant requirement, even though their upheaval means the warrant amendment they insisted has broad support will no longer get a vote.
thehill.com/...
Eric Swalwell:
“Standing with Trump when it comes to national security means standing with terrorists.”
“Standing with Trump as it relates to Ukraine means standing with Putin.”
“Standing with Trump as it relates to the border means standing with chaos & disorder.
”I think my biggest reason to support FISA is that our enemies and adversaries would benefit significantly without it. I do feel that we could make it better and less risky for ordinary Americans though. I wouldn’t be opposed to changing a few things within the FISA courts.
Barr on FISA Sect. 702 reauthorization: "This is our ability to exploit foreign communications, and there are no Fourth Amendment issues with respect to the collection of this information.... I believe this will result in attacks on the United States we’re not able to intercept,” he warned.
Trump already announced ‘kill FISA’ before the vote, which is why Barr, Bolton, and others bashed him all day yesterday.
In 2008, Congress enacted Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a critical intelligence collection authority that enables the Intelligence Community (IC) to collect, analyze, and appropriately share foreign intelligence information about national security threats. Section 702 authorizes targeted intelligence collection of specific types of foreign intelligence information—such as information concerning international terrorism or the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction—identified by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Section 702 only permits the targeting of non-United States persons who are reasonably believed to be located outside the United States. United States persons and anyone in the United States may not be targeted under Section 702. Section 702 also prohibits “reverse targeting”—the IC may not target a non-U.S. person located outside the U.S. if the purpose of the collection is to collect information about a United States person or anyone located in the United States.
Section 702 is not a bulk collection program; it is a substantial and important targeted intelligence collection program. Every Section 702 targeting decision is individualized and documented, approved pursuant to a multi-step process embodied in specific targeting procedures, and reviewed by an independent oversight team.
Although all Section 702 targets must be non-United States persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States, Congress has always recognized that such targets may send an email or have a phone call with a United States person. For this reason, Section 702 requires specific procedures to minimize the acquisition, retention, and sharing of any information concerning United States persons. “Minimize,” however, does not always mean “eliminate” – if, for example, a foreign terrorist indicated that a United States person was a key member of an ongoing terrorist plot, this information would be appropriately shared to allow the FBI to take further investigative steps. Congress also amended Section 702 to require specific procedures to ensure the querying of any Section 702-acquired information is consistent with the Fourth Amendment.
www.intel.gov/...