Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, it has been revealed that the FBI has been conducting investigations into foreign agents seeking access and influence in Congress. These investigations have come to light due to a recent series of events, including federal charges against Senator Robert Menendez for allegedly taking bribes from the government of Egypt.
Congress has a spy problem; FBI investigating databases for hackers, foreign influence https://t.co/La4ke1MXjb
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 23, 2023
One of the instances brought to light involves a raid on Senator Menendez’s home in June 2022, where agents allegedly found evidence of his bribery scheme. But that’s not all – a declassified opinion from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has revealed that an FBI analyst searched the name of another senator in a database containing foreign intelligence, suspecting that foreign spies were targeting this lawmaker.
This search, however, violated FBI rules for using FISA-obtained data. The Cato Institute’s senior fellow, Patrick Eddington, has called for a reevaluation of the FBI, emphasizing that lawmakers should understand that the FBI is not their friend. He argues that the bureau’s incentive structure is focused on “nailing people” in order to secure promotions.
It is unclear who the unnamed senator in the FISC opinion is, as their identity has not been made public. However, given Senator Menendez’s committee work and alleged interactions with Egyptian officials, it is believed that his information is likely contained in a database of foreign intelligence.
These problematic FBI searches are not limited to the Senate. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the government to conduct surveillance on foreign persons outside the US, is under review in Congress. Senator Mike Lee has revealed that at least one senator and one representative have been surveilled, although their identities remain unknown.
While concerns about the Department of Justice spying on Congress have emerged, there are lawmakers who support the FBI’s efforts in monitoring foreign threats. Representative Don Bacon, for example, expressed gratitude to the FBI for alerting him to China-linked attackers hacking into his personal and campaign emails.
The revelations of these foreign spy efforts and the FBI’s actions have undoubtedly had an impact on lawmakers’ views of America’s spy agencies. Some, like Representative Darin LaHood, are reviewing the renewal of FISA with a critical eye, pointing to the FBI’s searches involving him as a reason for changes to Section 702.
The FBI’s actions and the extent of attempted foreign intrusions into Congress have raised serious questions about the surveillance powers of the US government. The intelligence community is conducting private meetings with lawmakers to discuss these powers, but opinions on these meetings vary. Some critics, like Patrick Eddington, have rejected these invitations, while others, like Jake Laperruque, have participated but found them frustrating as government officials were unwilling to commit to changes.
The full damage and pace of attempted foreign intrusions into Congress still remains unknown. The FBI has declined to answer questions regarding these matters. It is essential that Congress takes action to address these concerns and ensure the integrity of our democratic institutions.
