Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) recently clarified his change in stance regarding a controversial surveillance law, stating that he now supports limited reforms following a classified briefing.
When questioned by journalists about his shift in position on reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Speaker Johnson explained that he no longer advocates for a warrant requirement for Section 702 and opposed an amendment that would prevent intelligence and law enforcement agencies from obtaining Americans’ private information through third-party data brokers. This move is seen as a way to bypass the Fourth Amendment protection against warrantless searches.
This marks a significant turnaround, as Johnson had previously backed legislation to close the data broker loophole in July 2023 and had supported the USA RIGHTS act, which was hailed by FreedomWorks as one of the most robust FISA reforms available.
Johnson tried explaining his position:
“When I was a member of Judiciary I saw the abuses of the FBI, the terrible abuses over and over and over… and then when I became Speaker I went to the SCIF and got the confidential briefing on sort of the other perspective on that to understand the necessity of section 702 of FISA and how important it is for national security. And it gave me a different perspective.
“That’s part of the process, you have to be fully informed,” he added.
Watch:
Speaker Mike Johnson elaborates on his FISA flip flop from when he was a rank and file member of the House, explaining that after receiving classified briefings he has a “different perspective.” pic.twitter.com/mrLj9ouEji
— Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotcnn) April 10, 2024
Following Johnson’s change of heart on the warrant requirement matter, Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) informed Breitbart News that this submission to the intelligence agencies exemplifies the “D.C. cartel.”
Biggs said, “I think you get swept up in the D.C. cartel. I think they come and tell you that, that blood would be on your hands. And, so the cartel tries to intimidate, put fear into people. And, so some people forget why they were taking the original position.”
