FBI targeted Catholics extensively, beyond one office, as revealed by redacted documents
Judicial Watch Reveals FBI Targeting of Catholics: Scandal Exposed
Judicial Watch has obtained 98 pages of FBI files that shed light on the agency’s disturbing attitudes towards investigating Catholics. These heavily redacted documents challenge the FBI’s claim that the surveillance operation was limited to one field office. Shockingly, it appears that top lawyers within the FBI approved this operation, as revealed by Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
Fitton insists that these documents should spark a criminal inquiry into what he calls the “Biden FBI scandal.” The leaked FBI intelligence document, which referred to Catholics as “radical-traditionalist Catholics,” further supports the need for investigation.
Contrary to FBI Director Christopher Wray’s testimony that the document was a product of a single field office, Judicial Watch’s findings indicate that it was reviewed by the Office of General Counsel/Chief Deputy Counsel. The records also suggest coordination with officials from Portland and Milwaukee.
Sound familiar?
Judicial Watch: “Contrary to statements under oath by FBI Director Wray, official documents proved that the FBI was targeting Catholics as ‘violent extremists’ and the undercover operation was widespread.”
Wake up America.
— Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) December 17, 2023
In August, a House Judiciary Committee news release revealed that the FBI Richmond Field Office collaborated with multiple field offices across the country to produce a memo targeting traditional Catholics as potential domestic terrorists. Both the FBI Portland and FBI Los Angeles field offices were implicated in this memo, according to the release.
Judicial Watch obtained a highly redacted document labeled “Domain Perspective — Threat Target/Facilitation Platform, FBI Richmond.” This document, issued on January 23, highlights the interest of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists in radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology. It also suggests potential engagement limitations between radical traditionalist Catholics and far-right white nationalists.
The document identifies nine Catholic groups as hate groups, as designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center. It further recommends that FBI agents reach out to churches visited by radical traditionalist Catholics to sensitize congregations to signs of radicalization.
The FBI is targeting Catholics with the help of their Milwaukee Field Office.
This is an unacceptable and blatant attack on your civil liberties.
The FBI must be held accountable! https://t.co/Lf3SHPkRse
— Rep. Tom Tiffany (@RepTiffany) December 5, 2023
Former congressman Tim Huelskamp, Senior Advisor to CatholicVote, expressed deep concern over the FBI’s unconstitutional targeting of faithful Catholics. He asserts that this program, which involved infiltrating Catholic parishes and attempting to influence elections, was not only widespread but also supported by senior officials. Huelskamp also criticizes the Biden administration for its inaction as Catholic churches have faced over 200 attacks since May 2022.
The post FBI Targeting of Catholics Went Beyond Single Office, Redacted Documents Show appeared first on The Western Journal.
What are the implications of targeting a religious group based on their beliefs and affiliations, and how does it contradict the principles of religious freedom and equal protection under the law?
Watch’s findings add further weight to these claims, indicating that the surveillance operation was not limited to one field office but involved multiple offices across the country. This raises serious questions about the extent of the FBI’s targeting of Catholics and the level of coordination within the agency.
The leaked FBI intelligence document, which referred to Catholics as “radical-traditionalist Catholics,” is deeply concerning. It suggests a troubling bias and raises concerns about religious profiling. Such labeling can have serious consequences for individuals and communities, perpetuating stereotypes and potentially infringing on civil liberties.
It is important to note that targeting a religious group based on their beliefs or affiliations goes against the principles of religious freedom and equal protection under the law. The Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion, and any actions that infringe upon this right undermine the foundations of our democracy.
Furthermore, the involvement of top lawyers within the FBI in approving this operation is alarming. It raises questions about the ethics and judgment of those responsible for overseeing the agency’s activities. If individuals at the highest levels of the FBI were aware of and supported this targeting of Catholics, it undermines the public’s trust in the agency and raises concerns about the politicization of law enforcement.
Judicial Watch’s President, Tom Fitton, is right to call for a criminal inquiry into this matter. It is essential that a thorough investigation takes place to determine the extent of the FBI’s targeting of Catholics and hold those responsible accountable. The American people deserve to know the truth and have confidence that their government institutions are acting in a fair and impartial manner.
This scandal also raises broader questions about the FBI’s approach to counterterrorism efforts. As Rep. Clay Higgins highlighted in his tweet, it is critical that law enforcement agencies focus their resources on genuine threats to national security, rather than targeting specific religious or ideological groups indiscriminately.
The revelations brought forth by Judicial Watch underscore the need for transparency, accountability, and oversight within our law enforcement agencies. It is crucial that Congress and other oversight bodies thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent such targeting and profiling in the future.
In a society that values religious freedom and equal protection under the law, the targeting of any religious group is unacceptable. The American people deserve a government that respects their fundamental rights and upholds the principles of justice and fairness. The FBI’s targeting of Catholics, as exposed by Judicial Watch, is a troubling violation of these principles and must be addressed promptly and thoroughly.
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