{"id":2653583,"date":"2026-09-02T13:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-james-threads-needle-on-flock-cameras-in-michigan\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T13:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:09:13","slug":"john-james-threads-needle-on-flock-cameras-in-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-james-threads-needle-on-flock-cameras-in-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"John James threads needle on Flock cameras in Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/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%2Fjohn-james-threads-needle-on-flock-cameras-in-michigan%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=2653583&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--><p>Rep. John James (R-MI), the Republican nominee for governor of Michigan, advocates for privacy protections concerning Flock cameras, emphasizing the importance of balancing security and individual rights.He states that the Fourth Amendment and privacy rights are nonnegotiable but also recognizes the need to use technology within the constitutional framework to ensure safety and apprehend wrongdoers. The issue of Flock camera misuse has sparked national backlash and debates over the constitutionality of constant monitoring, leading several states and communities to consider restricting or banning their use. Notably, some Michigan bills aim to limit data retention and access, with others opting to remove the cameras entirely. Candidates across party lines, including Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and Gov.Greg Abbott (R-TX), are supporting bans or restrictions. James aligns with figures like Vivek Ramaswamy who acknowledge concerns over abuse but stop short of calling for outright bans. The topic remains a bipartisan point of contention as discussions about privacy, data centers, and surveillance continue in midterm elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014<\/strong> Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-james\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"5495\">John James<\/a> (R-MI) is embracing privacy guardrails on Flock cameras without distancing himself from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stacy-garrity-supports-ban-on-flock-cameras-in-pennsylvania\/\" title=\"Stacy Garrity supports ... on ... in Pennsylvania\">vehicle tracking technology<\/a>, telling the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that \u201cbalance is the key\u201d as the issue becomes a flashpoint in the<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\"> 2026 elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur Bill of Rights, our Fourth Amendment, our right to privacy is nonnegotiable,\u201d said James, the Republican nominee for governor in Michigan. \u201cBut we also need to make sure that we are working within the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/constitution\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"424\">Constitution<\/a> to keep innocent people safe and put bad actors away.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4709707\/john-james-flock-cameras-michigan-balance-governors-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>John James threads needle on Flock camera backlash in Michigan: \u2018Balance is the key\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4709259\/mike-minogue-massachusetts-governor-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Minogue to face Maura Healey in Massachusetts governor\u2019s race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4709102\/desantis-byron-donalds-endorsement-florida-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DeSantis backs Byron Donalds for Florida governor after withholding endorsement<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/07\/26\/us\/flock-cameras-surveillance-abuse\">Misuse<\/a> of the cameras, which have quickly proliferated as tools for law enforcement, has led to a national backlash and raised questions about whether 24\/7 monitoring of license plates is constitutional in the first place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several bills have been proposed in the Michigan statehouse that would <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mackinac.org\/blog\/2026\/flock-ruffles-feathers-in-michigan\">limit data retention<\/a> and who can access it, but some communities are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganpublic.org\/politics-government\/2026-08-19\/communities-across-michigan-move-to-ditch-flock-cameras\">scrapping<\/a> the cameras altogether. Across the country, a growing number of candidates for governor have followed suit or promised to do so.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Pennsylvania, both Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and his Republican opponent support a ban on Flock cameras, while Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) blocked state agencies from spending money on them last week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">James\u2019s view puts him closer to Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for governor in Ohio, and his Democratic challenger. Both have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/signalcleveland.org\/ohio-governor-race-amy-acton-vivek-ramaswamy-flock-camera-stances-november-election-2026\/\">expressed<\/a> concern over the potential for abuse without calling for a ban.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgain, the Bill of Rights and our right to privacy is nonnegotiable, and I\u2019ll be doing everything that I can to protect the privacy of Michiganders and also enforce the law,\u201d James said on Wednesday, fielding the question in a press call organized to express support for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-best-kept-secret-in-this-years-tax-cut-is-a-massive-win-for-families-with-students\/\" title=\"The Best-Kept Secret in This Year&#039;s Tax Cut Is a Massive Win for Families with Students\">education freedom tax credit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4707249\/josh-shapiro-stacy-garrity-ban-flock-cameras\/\"><strong>JOSH SHAPIRO CHALLENGER SUPPORTS BAN ON FLOCK CAMERAS IN PENNSYLVANIA: \u2018INVASION OF PRIVACY\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flock cameras, along with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/data-centers\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"22166\">data centers<\/a>, are a hot-button issue in the midterm elections and represent one of the few areas of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-drumbeat-for-targeting-iran\/\" title=\"Targeting Iran intensifies\">bipartisan common ground<\/a> in Lansing and Washington. Both James and his Democratic competitor, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, support a temporary moratorium on data center construction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A spokesperson for Benson did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. John James supports privacy limits on Flock cameras, emphasizing balance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2653584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26243611682956-e1788363374598.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[82953,53009,4601],"class_list":["post-2653583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-flock-cameras","tag-john-james","tag-michigan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26243611682956-e1788363374598.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653583","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\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2653583"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2653587,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653583\/revisions\/2653587"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2653584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2653583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2653583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2653583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}