ACLU Statement for the Record for Senate Judiciary Hearing on “Examining the Inspector General’s Report on Alleged Abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act”

The ACLU submitted this statement for the record in connection to the Senate Judiciary’s hearing entitled, “Examining the Inspector General’s Report on Alleged Abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.” The hearing examined the Department of Justice Inspector General’s report, Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation.

While the Inspector General’s report concluded that there was proper purpose and initiation of the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian efforts to interfere with the 2016 election, many of its findings are alarming. The report underscores the lack of basic safeguards to protect Americans against unwarranted surveillance and intrusive investigative techniques. In light of the Inspector General’s findings, the ACLU urged the committee to enact legislation to enhance accountability, oversight, and transparency within the FISA process.