07. March 2025
Tulsi Gabbard Vows To Shine Light On Trumps Secret Surveillance Program
The appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has sent a ripple effect through the US intelligence community, with civil liberties organizations now lobbying her to bring transparency and oversight to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and over 20 other major privacy groups have written a letter to Gabbard, urging her to shed light on the types of US businesses that can be compelled to install wiretaps on behalf of the National Security Agency (NSA).
The controversy surrounding Section 702 dates back to a new provision passed by Congress last year, which expanded the range of businesses that can receive secret wiretap orders. Critics argued that this expansion would lead to a significant increase in US citizens’ communications being monitored without their knowledge or consent. The provision has been criticized for its ambiguity, with industry leaders and privacy experts warning that it could expose a wide range of businesses to secret government demands.
The term “electronic communications service provider” (ECSP) was introduced as a way to define which companies can be compelled under FISA, but critics argue that this definition is too vague. The expansion of Section 702 has been likened to the “Stasi-like” surveillance tactics employed by the East German secret police agency. Opponents of the provision in Washington have expressed concerns that it could lead to a new era of government overreach and erosion of civil liberties.
Gabbard’s ascendance to the DNI position has marked a significant shift in views toward government surveillance, with many calling for greater accountability and transparency. As she works to address the issues surrounding Section 702, Gabbard must balance the need for national security with the need to protect individual liberties and maintain public trust.
In recent years, concerns about government surveillance have only grown, with revelations from Edward Snowden and others highlighting the scope and scale of domestic surveillance programs. The declassification of key information regarding Section 702 will be a crucial step towards restoring public trust in the US intelligence community. It is up to Gabbard to navigate this complex issue, balancing national security with individual liberties, and ensuring that the program operates within the bounds of the law.
The fate of Section 702 hangs in the balance as Gabbard considers the demands of civil liberties organizations. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for US citizens’ rights and the future of intelligence gathering in America.