{"id":1998030,"date":"2023-08-11T15:30:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T19:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-probes-fbis-use-of-new-geosurveillance-method\/"},"modified":"2023-08-11T15:34:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T19:34:10","slug":"house-gop-probes-fbis-use-of-new-geosurveillance-method","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-probes-fbis-use-of-new-geosurveillance-method\/","title":{"rendered":"House GOP investigates FBI&#8217;s new geosurveillance technique."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhouse-gop-probes-fbis-use-of-new-geosurveillance-method%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1998030&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>House Republicans on Aug. 10 sent a letter asking U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to \u200cinvestigate the legality of the \u200bway law enforcement has\u2062 used geofence warrants.<\/p>\n<p>The House Judiciary Committee, chaired \u200bby Jim Jordan \u200d(R-Ohio), and the Select Subcommittee\u200c on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have\u2063 initiated \u2063an oversight inquiry with the Department of Justice (DOJ) \u200dinto the Federal Bureau of Investigation&#8217;s (FBI) use of\u2062 geofence warrants.<\/p>\n<p>The use of these warrants enables law enforcement to cast a broad net and subsequently \u200dnarrow down potential \u2063persons of interest\u200d using \u2063the acquired digital information from tech companies. The committee&#8217;s inquiry is \u2063aimed at\u200d evaluating the \u2063legality and constitutionality of this investigative technique.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border border-[#D3D3D3] px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\">\n<div class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related \u2062Stories<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/fbis-4-acre-geofence-dragnet-at-the-us-capitol-on-jan-6-violated-fourth-amendment-defense-attorneys-contend-4912840\">FBI\u2019s\u2063 4-Acre Geofence Dragnet at the US Capitol \u200bon Jan. 6 Violated Fourth Amendment, Defense \u200bAttorneys Contend<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-[14px] leading-[18px] text-[#737373]\">12\/8\/2022<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/fbis-4-acre-geofence-dragnet-at-the-us-capitol-on-jan-6-violated-fourth-amendment-defense-attorneys-contend-4912840\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/fbi-memo-naming-radical-traditionalist-catholics-involved-multiple-offices-jordan-5455619\">FBI Memo Naming \u2018Radical \u2062Traditionalist Catholics\u2019 Involved Multiple Offices: Jordan<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-[14px] leading-[18px] text-[#737373]\">8\/10\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/fbi-memo-naming-radical-traditionalist-catholics-involved-multiple-offices-jordan-5455619\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/epochtv\/documents-reveal-fbi-targeted-catholics-as-domestic-terrorists-2024-covid-variant-arrives-5455958\">Documents Reveal FBI Targeted \u2062Catholics as Domestic Terrorists; 2024 COVID Variant Arrives? | Live \u200cWith\u200b Josh<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-[14px] leading-[18px] text-[#737373]\">8\/10\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/epochtv\/documents-reveal-fbi-targeted-catholics-as-domestic-terrorists-2024-covid-variant-arrives-5455958\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The committee focused particularly on the application of these warrants in relation to \u200bthe events \u2064that transpired\u200c at the \u2064U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6,\u2064 2021.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JudiciaryGOP\/status\/1689748946099359745?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">letter<\/a> seeks to understand\u2062 the \u2063processes and policies governing the use of geofence warrants and raises constitutional \u2064concerns about their implementation.<\/p>\n<p>According to the letter, geofence warrants are a relatively new investigative tool that empowers law enforcement to \u200brequest location history data \u200bfrom third-party providers, such as Google, \u2062for devices within or near the vicinity of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-cop-involved-in-breonna-taylor-case-found-not-guilty\/\" title=\"Ex-Cop Involved In Breonna Taylor Case Found Not Guilty\">suspected criminal activity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Concerns About Geofence Warrants<\/h2>\n<p>The central \u200dconcerns raised in the letter pertain to potential constitutional violations stemming from the use of \u200cgeofence warrants. The \u200daccuracy of location\u2062 history data, the lack of specificity in targeting individuals, and the potential divergence \u2064from Fourth Amendment requirements are all areas of concern.<\/p>\n<p>According to the \u2064Judiciary Committee, their\u200d inquiry comes at a time when the\u2064 utilization of geofence warrants by law enforcement is on the rise, as indicated by an increase in requests\u2064 for geofenced \u200blocation history data.<\/p>\n<p>The recent application of geofence \u2063warrants \u2062by the FBI in \u200cits investigation\u200c of the events\u200b at the \u2062U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, raises concerns about selective usage. According to the letter, the \u200bFBI, in \u2064collaboration with Google, \u2064obtained\u200b location history data\u200d for potentially thousands\u2062 of unique devices within \u200dthe vicinity of the Capitol Building.\u2063 This underscores the committee&#8217;s\u2063 worries about the potential for overreach and \u2064the infringement of civil liberties.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, the\u2064 committee highlights instances where geofence\u2064 warrants were employed to investigate\u200c violent rioting\u200b and arson incidents, \u200csuch as those in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.\u2063 However, \u200dit\u2064 points out a perceived inconsistency\u200d in the FBI&#8217;s approach, citing reports that suggest the agency \u2063did not utilize geofence warrants to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-probes-fbis-use-of-new-geosurveillance-method\/\" title=\"House GOP investigates FBI's new geosurveillance technique.\">address violent crimes occurring<\/a> at federal facilities during a similar time frame.<\/p>\n<p>In light of these concerns, the House Judiciary Committee and the Select\u2063 Subcommittee\u2063 on the\u2063 Weaponization of the Federal \u2063Government have formally requested documents and information from the DOJ.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200drequested materials include details\u2062 about the DOJ&#8217;s policies and processes regarding \u200cthe use of geofencing techniques,\u2063 as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-look-at-the-suspect-who-tried-to-assassinate-brett-kavanaugh-trans-gamer-girl\/\" title=\"A Look at the Suspect Who Tried to Assassinate Brett Kavanaugh: \u201cTrans Gamer Girl\u201d\">search warrant applications<\/a> and accompanying affidavits related to geofence warrants.<\/p>\n<p>The letter\u2064 asserts\u200b the committees&#8217;\u2064 jurisdiction to oversee matters concerning civil liberties and \u200dcriminal law enforcement, as well as the\u2063 mandate to investigate potential \u200cviolations of citizens&#8217; civil liberties. The committees\u200c also \u200ccite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/house-resolution\/12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">H. Res. 12<\/a>, which authorizes the Select Subcommittee to explore issues related to\u2062 the violation of civil liberties and the interaction between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmakers-say-overhaul-needed-to-protect-fed-agencies-from-foreign-hacks\/\" title=\"Lawmakers Say Overhaul Needed to Protect Fed Agencies from Foreign Hacks\">executive branch agencies<\/a> and private sector entities.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ \u200bhas \u200cbeen requested to produce the requested documents and\u2063 information\u200b by \u2064Aug. 24, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The Justice Department confirmed receipt of the letter to The Epoch Times via email but declined to comment \u200cfurther.<\/p>\n<h2>More Judiciary\u200d Committee Investigation<\/h2>\n<p>The day\u200c before the letter was dispatched \u2062to Mr. Garland, the committee put out a press release outlining what \u200dthey asserted was coordination by multiple \u2063FBI field offices in preparation of an anti-Catholic memo.<\/p>\n<p>Subcommittee on \u200bthe Constitution and Limited Government Chairman Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent \u200ca <a title=\"https:\/\/republicans-judiciary.house.gov\/sites\/evo-subsites\/republicans-judiciary.house.gov\/files\/evo-media-document\/2023-08-09-jdj-mj-to-wray-re-catholic-dp.pdf\" href=\"https:\/\/republicans-judiciary.house.gov\/sites\/evo-subsites\/republicans-judiciary.house.gov\/files\/evo-media-document\/2023-08-09-jdj-mj-to-wray-re-catholic-dp.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">letter<\/a> \u2062to FBI \u200bDirector Christopher \u2063Wray addressing the revelation that the FBI Richmond \u2062Field Office collaborated with other FBI field offices across the nation\u200d to create the memo that singled out traditional Catholics as potential domestic terrorists.<\/p>\n<p>According to the committee <a href=\"https:\/\/judiciary.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/judiciary-committee-uncovers-multiple-fbi-field-offices-coordinated-prepare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">press release<\/a>, this information conflicts with Mr. Wray&#8217;s statement before the committee on July 12, 2023, in \u2064which \u200dhe\u200c claimed the FBI&#8217;s operations were restricted\u200d to &#8220;a single\u2062 field office.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In reality, the new document\u2014a\u2064 less \u200dheavily redacted version\u2014<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>House Republicans have written to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging an investigation into the legality of law enforcement&#8217;s use of geofence warrants. The House Judiciary Committee, led by Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government are conducting an oversight inquiry with the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1843,"featured_media":1998031,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1998030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1998030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1843"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1998030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1998030\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1998031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1998030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1998030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1998030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}