President Joe Biden backed a bill House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) passed by a vote in the lower chamber on Friday to reauthorize a controversial foreign surveillance act for America’s national security. But former President Donald Trump and his camp within the federal government are not so enthusiastic about the bill after the feds used it to spy on his campaign.
The Biden White House endorsed the H.R. 7888 bill to reauthorize FISA under Section 702 of the Communications Decency Act Thursday.
NEW — White House supports the House FISA bill. It opposes the Biggs amendment. pic.twitter.com/KCDWDSsXne
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 11, 2024
“The Administration strongly supports H.R. 7888, a bipartisan bill to reauthorize an essential intelligence authority, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (‘FISA’), and other FISA provisions before they would expire on April 19, 2023,” the White House said in a statement.
“Expiration of Section 702 authorities would deprive us of insight into precisely the threats Americans expect their government to identify and counter: terrorist threats to the Homeland, fentanyl supply chains bringing deadly drugs into American communities… and many more,” the statement added.
Section 702 exists so authorities can gather communications and signal intelligence from foreign adversaries. But officials often use it inadvertently and potentially on purpose to surveil the private communications of U.S. citizens without a warrant.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said, “Of course Joe doesn’t support a warrant requirement. His weaponized federal police apparatus wouldn’t be able to spy on American citizens anymore. GET A WARRANT.”
Of course Joe doesn’t support a warrant requirement.
His weaponized federal police apparatus wouldn’t be able to spy on American citizens anymore.
GET A WARRANT. https://t.co/uNLohcD41D
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) April 11, 2024
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote, “I questioned Intel Committee Chairman Turner about special treatment Congressmen get in the proposed FISA bill. Instead of giving a carve out to Congress from unconstitutional spying, just require a warrant for all Americans! Get a warrant!”
I questioned Intel Committee Chairman Turner about special treatment Congressmen get in the proposed FISA bill.
Instead of giving a carve out to Congress from unconstitutional spying, just require a warrant for all Americans!
Get a warrant! #fisa @RulesReps pic.twitter.com/kDP6TW1RuZ
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 10, 2024
Former President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social Thursday, “KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!!”
“I look forward to talking with him about it,” Johnson said in response to Trump’s concerns about the bill. “I mean, here’s the thing about FISA — he’s not wrong. Of course, they abused FISA … But these reforms would actually kill the abuses that allow President Trump’s campaign to be spied on.”
