The FBI's already tarnished public image is deteriorating. Recent incidents are shining a light on the agency's increasing targeting of Americans for activities the bureau has labeled as domestic terrorism. In the latest revelation, the FBI spied on Catholics in a clear violation of the First Amendment.
During the last 18 months, the FBI has used its assets to go after Americans speaking out at school board meetings, coordinated with social media companies to suppress speech, illegally spied on a political campaign and surveilled black activists. The conduct is taking a toll on trust in the FBI.
The latest NBC News Poll, conducted in July, found that only 37% of registered voters surveyed had a positive view of the FBI. In the same poll in October of 2018, more than half of Americans (52%) viewed the FBI favorably. That's a precipitous fall that should concern FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Apparently, it doesn't.
How else can you explain Wray's testimony before a Congressional committee about reports the FBI targeted so-called "radical traditionalist" Catholics as potential domestic terrorists?
The director testified in July before the House Judiciary Committee about the disturbing allegation. A smiling Wray under withering interrogation assured members the FBI's action was limited "to a single office" in Richmond, VA. He claimed it was a regrettable blunder that he immediately halted.
The clamor died down until House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan requested an un-redacted copy of the Richmond office's memo. The agency document divulged the Richmond office relied on information from field offices in Los Angeles and Portland for contributions to the threat assessment.
The new information proves that Wray's statements were inaccurate. And that's being overly charitable. The agency's actions were not limited to a single office. If multiple offices were involved, how could the FBI director be so ill informed about his department's probe?
The FBI memo reviewed by the committee reveals "radical traditionalist" Catholics" were targets over concerns their beliefs may be interpreted as violent views. Volatile issues cited in the memo include views on "abortion rights" and "LGBTQ protections," writes the National Catholic Register.
The FBI memo appears to imply that being pro-life or holding beliefs that there are only two genders (male and female) are tangentially related to violent, extremest views, which threaten public safety. This appears to criminalize the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Included in the memo is an Orwellian recommendation that FBI agents attempt to recruit traditionalist Catholics to keep tabs on so-called "radical traditionalists" in their congregation. The FBI conduct smacks of Soviet-style efforts to intimidate houses of worship that don't embrace government dogma.
Let's make it clear what is going on at the highest levels of government in Washington. If your beliefs run counter to government doctrine, then the FBI considers you a potential terrorist threat. The chilling inference is that religious theology must align with the federal government's doctrine.
The FBI's action is a direct threat to the First Amendment guarantee of the free exercise of religion and sends a frightening message about the practice of faith. Whatever your political affiliation, this is a stunning abuse of power. Do you want the FBI criminalizing Americans religious beliefs?
What's ironic is the FBI appears to have no interest in investigating the rise in attacks on Catholic Churches. Last year there were at least 272 incidents in 43 states, including arson, vandalism, the beheading of statues, smashed windows and gravestone defaced with swastikas and anti-Catholic slurs.
The spike in violence appears to have escalated after the leak of the Supreme Court's draft proposal to overturn Roe V Wade. In anticipation of the final decision, abortion activists unleashed a wave of angry protests against pro-life pregnancy centers and Catholic Churches.
The result was an increase in anti-Catholic rhetoric from politicians, government officials and activists. It is ironic, since Pew Research polls have shown 56% of Catholic believe abortion should be legal. That is almost the same percentage of all Americans (61%) who support abortion.
Instead of snooping on Catholics, the FBI should be dedicating resources to address the rising attacks against all churches. A recent Hostility Against Churches report, authored by the Family Research Council, found that incidents in the first three months of this year are three times higher than last year.
The research council study identified 420 incidents, including gun-related incidents and bomb threats from January 2018 to September 2022. The FRC warns the "anger and division" in American society endangers not only churches but erodes religious freedom.
Christians aren't the only ones being targeted. Antisemitic incidents skyrocketed 36% last year. A report from the Anti-Defamation League found there were 3,697 incidents of harassment, vandalism and assaults targeting Jewish people and communities.
The report concludes that public officials, including some in Congress, famous artists and social media stars have been "instrumental in normalizing longstanding antisemitic tropes." To some, lack of action by federal law enforcement implies the threats do not rise to level of FBI concern.
Christopher Wray needs to be hauled before Congress and questioned about what the FBI is doing to stop the rising violence against religions and religious people. The FBI's mission is to uphold the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice religion free from intimidation.
Americans religious beliefs are not subject to FBI oversight. Period.
No comments:
Post a Comment