In a move that should alarm every freedom-loving American, the U.S. Senate quietly extended the federal government's sweeping surveillance powers Friday without so much as a peep of debate or discussion.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) brought the 10-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to the floor during what sources describe as a brief, almost secretive session. The measure passed unanimously - because apparently nobody wanted to go on record defending your Fourth Amendment rights.
This is exactly the kind of Deep State power grab that patriots have been warning about for years. Section 702 gives federal agencies broad authority to surveil individuals suspected of being "national security threats" - a definition that has proven dangerously flexible under previous administrations.
Where Are the Constitutional Conservatives?
Here's what's particularly troubling: this extension happened under Republican control, with a GOP majority that campaigned on constitutional principles and limiting government overreach. So why the rush to rubber-stamp surveillance powers that have been abused time and again?
Remember, these are the same FISA powers that were weaponized against President Trump during the Russia collusion hoax. The same surveillance apparatus that targeted American citizens for political purposes. And now we're just going to extend them without debate?
"The 10-day extension gives GOP leadership time to negotiate," according to sources familiar with the matter.
Time to negotiate what, exactly? How much of the Constitution they're willing to trade away for the illusion of security?
Americans Deserve Better
Every day these surveillance powers remain in place is another day the federal government can spy on law-abiding Americans without proper oversight. We've seen how these tools get abused when they fall into the wrong hands.
The Trump administration needs to take a hard look at whether these powers are truly necessary or just another way for the administrative state to maintain control over We the People. Will they stand up for constitutional principles, or cave to the intelligence community's demands for unchecked authority?