Conservative government watchdog, Judicial Watch, has released nearly 100 pages of FBI documents that it claims show the agency’s lack of transparency regarding its surveillance and targeting of Catholic churches. The documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, shed light on an internal FBI memo leaked earlier this year, which indicated efforts to identify and treat Catholics as “potential terrorists.” This revelation has sparked criticism from Republicans and drawn attention to the alleged misuse of law enforcement capabilities to infringe on Americans’ First Amendment rights.
The leaked memo, titled “Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities,” identified “radical-traditionalist Catholic[s]” as potential “racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists.” It further suggested that exploring new avenues for tripwire and source development could aid in mitigating the threat. Republicans have long believed that the FBI’s targeting of Catholics was more extensive than previously acknowledged, and these newly released documents appear to support their claims.
FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously stated that the memo was the work of a single field office. However, the documents obtained by Judicial Watch reveal that the memo was reviewed by the Office of General Counsel/Chief Deputy Counsel, indicating coordination beyond a single office. The leaked documents also show discussions among FBI officials from different field offices, suggesting wider involvement in the program.
In response to the leaked memo, the FBI assured the public that it did not target Catholics and that the memo did not meet their standards. They stated that the document had been quickly removed from FBI systems and that there was no malicious intent to target individuals based on religious beliefs. However, Judicial Watch argues that the new documents disprove the FBI’s narrative and raise questions about the agency’s involvement in the surveillance of Catholic churches.
Chairman Jim Jordan and co-chair Rep. Mike Johnson, both Republicans, expressed concerns about the FBI’s use of law enforcement capabilities to infringe on Americans’ First Amendment rights. They wrote in a letter that this new information suggests a more widespread intrusion on constitutional rights than initially suspected. They called for a criminal inquiry into the matter.
The release of these documents has reignited the debate over government surveillance and the potential infringement on individual freedoms. Critics argue that the FBI’s actions raise questions about the limits of law enforcement power and the protection of religious practices. Supporters of the FBI maintain that their actions were necessary to combat potential threats and ensure national security.
As discussions continue, it remains to be seen whether these newly released documents will lead to further investigations or changes in FBI practices. The controversy surrounding the surveillance of Catholic churches highlights the ongoing tension between security measures and the protection of civil liberties in the United States.
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