Lawsuit Claims Surprising DOJ Actions Towards Congressional Investigations

Lawsuit Claims Surprising DOJ Actions Towards Congressional Investigations

A lawsuit claims the DOJ secretly monitored congressional staffers investigating the agency’s alleged misconduct—sparking vital questions about government oversight and executive overreach.

At a Glance

  • Whistleblower group sues DOJ over alleged secret surveillance of congressional staff.
  • DOJ accused of stonewalling records requests related to the surveillance.
  • Lawsuit aims to compel the release of records following ignored FOIA requests.
  • Surveillance reportedly began in 2016, targeting both political parties.

Allegations of Secret Surveillance

Empower Oversight Whistleblowers and Research is suing the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly covertly monitoring congressional staffers involved in investigating the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe. The civil suit accuses the DOJ of stonewalling records requests related to this surveillance. The surveillance allegedly targeted congressional staff from both parties starting in 2016, according to the complaint filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C.

Stonewalling Records Requests

The lawsuit aims to force the DOJ to release records after five Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made between October 2023 and June 2024 were ignored. Empower Oversight alleges that third-party technology companies like Google, Apple, and Verizon were compelled to hand over communications records of staff members under non-disclosure orders. The subpoenas for these records included a gag order lasting six years.

Congressional Reaction

Sens. Chuck Grassley, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee have demanded answers from Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the alleged surveillance. Jason Foster, Empower’s founder, discovered he was surveilled by the DOJ while working for Sen. Grassley. This revelation highlights concerns about executive overreach and the efficacy of oversight mechanisms within federal agencies.

Implications for Transparency and Accountability

“A whistleblower group is suing the Department of Justice over its efforts to ‘secretly surveil’ congressional staff conducting oversight on the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation.” – NY Post

Empower Oversight has filed another civil suit to unseal all DOJ subpoenas for congressional staff communications. These records may include communications of then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and his aides. Meanwhile, DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz found abuses in the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation, including the improper use of warrants and the misleading Steele dossier.

Ongoing Review and Broader Historical Context

Third-party sources similarly indicate an ongoing review by the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General into whether the DOJ’s actions were based on improper considerations. The historical context of this case is reminiscent of an internal C.I.A. investigation from 2014 which found that officers penetrated a computer network used by the Senate Intelligence Committee preparing a report on the C.I.A.’s detention and interrogation program. The resulting report called out improper actions and heavy criticism from Senate members. Calls for accountability, then as now, highlight the critical need for transparency and oversight.

“An internal investigation by the C.I.A. has found that its officers penetrated a computer network used by the Senate Intelligence Committee in preparing its damning report on the C.I.A.’s detention and interrogation program.” – The New York Times

The outcome of this lawsuit will likely play a significant role in shaping future transparency and accountability standards within federal agencies. As this legal battle unfolds, its implications may reach far beyond the current allegations, potentially affecting the balance of power and oversight within the U.S. government.

Sources

  1. DOJ sued for stonewalling on ‘secret’ surveillance records of congressional staff during Russiagate
  2. Report of the Special Counsel on the Investigation Into Unauthorized Removal, Retention, and Disclosure of Classified Documents Discovered at Locations Including the Penn Biden Center and the Delaware Private Residence of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
  3. Inquiry by C.I.A. Affirms It Spied on Senate Panel
  4. FBI WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONY HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNMENT ABUSE, MISALLOCATION OF RESOURCES, AND RETALIATION
  5. Report to Congress on Implementation of Section 1001 of the USA PATRIOT Act
  6. Chairman Jordan Launches Inquiry into the DOJ’s Attempts to Spy on Congress
  7. Probe widens into federal watchdog over missing Jan. 6 Secret Service texts
  8. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Compliance with the Attorney General’s Investigative Guidelines (Redacted)
  9. What to know about Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s long-running scandals and legal battles

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