Reason.com

Report: The FBI bent its own rules to spy on 1,100 'sensitive' targets

Cato

Nextgov.com

FBI gathered intelligence on reporters, religious orgs using assessment authority, watchdog report says

Just The News

Wray FBI opened 1,200 'assessments' of sensitive figures like politicians, journalists and clergy

Racket

EXCLUSIVE: FBI Gathered Intel On 1,000 Journalists, Politicians, Religious Organizations On Flimsy Grounds

WCIV

Rep. Mace presses DOJ for more action after viewing unredacted Epstein files

The Hill

5734915 Raskin Bondi Doj Surveillance Epstein Files

Trump Department of Justice

Trumps FBI pick opposes warrant requirement for contested spying power

The FBI opened approximately 127,000 assessments between 2018 and 2024, which are investigative tools that can be initiated without a particular factual predication or evidence of criminal activity. About 14 percent of these assessments were converted into full investigations.

The FBI opened approximately 127,000 assessments between 2018 and 2024, which are investigative tools that can be initiated without a particular factual predication or evidence of criminal activity. About 14 percent of these assessments were converted into full investigations.

Between 2018 and 2024, the FBI designated approximately 1,100 assessments as sensitive investigative matters involving public officials, journalists, religious organizations and political candidates. These sensitive assessments were converted to investigations at a rate of 48 percent, significantly higher than the overall conversion rate.

Between 2018 and 2024, the FBI designated approximately 1,100 assessments as sensitive investigative matters involving public officials, journalists, religious organizations and political candidates. These sensitive assessments were converted to investigations at a rate of 48 percent, significantly higher than the overall conversion rate.

The Government Accountability Office found that approximately 5 percent of reviewed assessments included instances of insufficient authorized purposes and approximately 7 percent included instances of unauthorized investigative methods. The FBI relies on staff to self-report noncompliance, which likely undercounts actual violations.

The Government Accountability Office found that approximately 5 percent of reviewed assessments included instances of insufficient authorized purposes and approximately 7 percent included instances of unauthorized investigative methods. The FBI relies on staff to self-report noncompliance, which likely undercounts actual violations.

Assessments allow FBI agents to employ investigative techniques including physical surveillance not requiring a court order, grand jury subpoenas for electronic communications and confidential human sources without meeting evidentiary thresholds required for warrants or other legal authorities used in investigations.

Assessments allow FBI agents to employ investigative techniques including physical surveillance not requiring a court order, grand jury subpoenas for electronic communications and confidential human sources without meeting evidentiary thresholds required for warrants or other legal authorities used in investigations.

Representatives Jamie Raskin and Nancy Mace requested the GAO review in March 2022, expressing concerns that FBI assessments operate as investigations launched without factual predicate of criminal wrongdoing and may result in improper monitoring of protected First Amendment activities by political, racial or religious organizations.

Representatives Jamie Raskin and Nancy Mace requested the GAO review in March 2022, expressing concerns that FBI assessments operate as investigations launched without factual predicate of criminal wrongdoing and may result in improper monitoring of protected First Amendment activities by political, racial or religious organizations.

The Department of Justice tracked the search histories of lawmakers while they reviewed unredacted Epstein files at DOJ headquarters. Representative Jamie Raskin called this monitoring a violation of separation of powers and described it as Orwellian, while Representative Nancy Mace questioned whether it constituted spying on members of Congress.

The Department of Justice tracked the search histories of lawmakers while they reviewed unredacted Epstein files at DOJ headquarters. Representative Jamie Raskin called this monitoring a violation of separation of powers and described it as Orwellian, while Representative Nancy Mace questioned whether it constituted spying on members of Congress.

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The FBI opened approximately 127,000 assessments between 2018 and 2024, with about 1,100 designated as sensitive investigative matters involving religious organizations, journalists, political candidates, public officials and academics. Assessments can be initiated without a factual predicate or evidence of criminal activity.

The FBI opened approximately 127,000 assessments between 2018 and 2024, with about 1,100 designated as sensitive investigative matters involving religious organizations, journalists, political candidates, public officials and academics. Assessments can be initiated without a factual predicate or evidence of criminal activity.

Representatives Jamie Raskin and Nancy Mace requested the Government Accountability Office investigate FBI assessments in 2022, expressing concern that the probes operate as investigations launched without factual predication of criminal wrongdoing and may improperly monitor First Amendment activities.

Representatives Jamie Raskin and Nancy Mace requested the Government Accountability Office investigate FBI assessments in 2022, expressing concern that the probes operate as investigations launched without factual predication of criminal wrongdoing and may improperly monitor First Amendment activities.

Among approximately 1,100 Type I/II assessments with sensitive investigative matter designation, the FBI converted 48 percent into investigations, compared to 14 percent of all Type I/II assessments. Over 500 targeted public officials, over 150 targeted religious organizations and over 100 targeted news media.

Among approximately 1,100 Type I/II assessments with sensitive investigative matter designation, the FBI converted 48 percent into investigations, compared to 14 percent of all Type I/II assessments. Over 500 targeted public officials, over 150 targeted religious organizations and over 100 targeted news media.

The FBI closed roughly 86 percent of Type I/II assessments and 94 percent of Type III assessments without referring them for further investigations. FBI officials told the GAO that many investigative leads prompting assessments are determined not to be credible.

The FBI closed roughly 86 percent of Type I/II assessments and 94 percent of Type III assessments without referring them for further investigations. FBI officials told the GAO that many investigative leads prompting assessments are determined not to be credible.

The GAO found approximately 5 percent of reviewed assessments included insufficient authorized purposes and approximately 7 percent included unauthorized investigative methods. The FBI relies on staff to self-report noncompliance, which likely undercounts actual violations.

The GAO found approximately 5 percent of reviewed assessments included insufficient authorized purposes and approximately 7 percent included unauthorized investigative methods. The FBI relies on staff to self-report noncompliance, which likely undercounts actual violations.

The January 2026 GAO report was designated for official use only and directed recipients to safeguard and destroy it when no longer needed. Authorized investigative methods for assessments include physical surveillance, grand jury subpoenas and confidential human sources without requiring court orders.

The January 2026 GAO report was designated for official use only and directed recipients to safeguard and destroy it when no longer needed. Authorized investigative methods for assessments include physical surveillance, grand jury subpoenas and confidential human sources without requiring court orders.

FBI Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018

FBI Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018

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FBI Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018

FBI Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018

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