Jack Posobiec discussed on Human Events Daily Friday the role Attorney General Merrick Garland played in the failure of Andy Biggs’s proposed amendment for the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
As the House has been in intense debate over the reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA, concerns have been raised about potential privacy implications and the lack of oversight surrounding the collection of communications from US persons.
Posobiec outlined how FISA is used, explaining that as a former Navy Intelligence officer he had FISA access. Posobiec highlighted the "two hop maneuver," which allows intelligence officials to query the database for communications of US citizens collected while surveilling foreigners overseas.
“It’s very simple. In FISA collection… you’ve got access to communications from US persons. There is no check on it whatsoever.” Posobiec explained.
During the debate in the House, Arizona Rep Andy Biggs proposed an amendment that would require federal law enforcement to obtain warrants when searching the communications of US citizens in such scenarios. However, the amendment faced strong opposition, ultimately resulting in a failed tie vote of 212-212.
Critics, including Posobiec, pointed to the involvement of the White House, particularly Attorney General Merrick Garland, in influencing the outcome of the vote. The attorney general reportedly made personal phone calls to members of Congress, urging them to vote against Biggs’ proposed amendment.
Posobiec characterized Garland's actions as intimidation and a warning against supporting the amendment, suggesting underlying threats or consequences for non-compliance.
“We know exactly what that is. That’s intimidation. That’s a warning. That’s a threat,” Posobiec said. “Vote this way on the Biggs amendment or else.”
Watch the full episode below.
