politics
Trump's spying on left-wing groups recalls J Edgar Hoover's Cointelpro
The FBI from the 1950s to the 1970s tried to infiltrate and discredit leftist organizations. Trump seems to be repeating that sordid practice
TL;DR
- The Trump administration is accused of investigating groups protesting against its deportation policies.
- This investigation, termed "Operation Puppet Master," allegedly used intrusive methods and spied on activists.
- The tactics used are compared to the FBI's historical Cointelpro program, which targeted leftist organizations.
- The administration claimed these groups provided support to "violent opportunists and agitators" and engaged in "domestic terrorist financing."
- The article contends that the administration is stretching federal conspiracy law and infringing on First Amendment rights.
- Concerns are raised about the abuse of prosecutorial power and a potential reversal of reforms aimed at preventing government overreach.
- Despite charges against some individuals for obstructing operations, the groups themselves have not been criminally charged.
- The author criticizes the use of the Department of Homeland Security over the traditional Justice Department or FBI for these investigations.