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Snapshot 8:Tue, Feb 17, 2026 9:54:11 PM GMT last edited by Nick

Lawsuit Materials: FBI Allegedly Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018

Lawsuit Materials: FBI Allegedly Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018

Is the FBI abusing surveillance powers to target Americans or have reforms effectively protected civil liberties?
Lawsuit Materials: FBI Allegedly Opened 127K Assessments Without Evidence Since 2018
Above: The FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2026. Image credit: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

The Spin

The FBI opened roughly 127,000 assessments without any criminal predicate for six years, allowing agents to illegally bypassesbypass constitutional protections. These assessments targeted over 1,100 religious figures, journalists, political candidates and public officials, with nearly half converted to full investigations that permit wiretaps and intrusive surveillance. This is an egregious violation of the constitutionConstitution that must be remedied promptly.

Recent reforms to FBI querying practices have dramatically reduced noncompliant searches, with most remaining violations stemming from administrative errors like typos rather than intentional abuse. The improvements demonstrate that rigorous internal controls and multi-level oversight work effectively to protect civil liberties while preserving critical investigative tools. Continued monitoring ensures any future compliance issues getare quickly identified and fixed.


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All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0