In a startling revelation, America First Legal (AFL) has obtained federal government documents that shed light on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) extensive involvement in social media censorship and surveillance during the 2022 midterm elections.
The Biden-Harris administration’s censorship initiative involved the FBI’s National Election Command Post (NECP) compiling a list of social media users identified as disseminating “misinformation.”
Following this, the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) sent out “preservation letters” to social media companies, requesting that user information be preserved in anticipation of potential legal action.
One of the accounts targeted by the FBI for further scrutiny during the midterms was Right Side Broadcasting Network, known for live-streaming former President Donald J. Trump’s campaign events in their entirety.
The documents and communications obtained by AFL revealed that the FBI’s lists not only included foreign threats and known Internet hackers but also accounts deemed to have potentially violated election laws, such as Right Side Broadcasting Network.
An Inspector General report suggested that the Biden-Harris DOJ and FBI likely utilized legal processes to compel cooperation from social media companies, effectively forcing them to disclose user data and other evidence.
The National Pulse reported in June that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives had issued a subpoena to the Biden-Harris Department of State, seeking records pertaining to programs designed to facilitate “censorship-by-proxy and revenue interference of American small businesses.”
Lawmakers have alleged that the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) utilized federal grants to support organizations like the London-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI), which focused on targeting advertisers on conservative media platforms.
This revelation underscores a concerning pattern within federal agencies under the Biden-Harris administration, indicating an unprecedented level of interference in social media platforms and potential infringement on free speech rights during a critical election period.
The implications of these findings are deeply troubling and raise serious questions about government overreach and abuse of power.
The use of federal resources and agencies to target specific voices on social media platforms based on their political affiliations is an affront to democratic principles and fundamental rights.
Moreover, these actions may have far-reaching consequences for public discourse and political participation, as they could create a chilling effect on free expression and discourage individuals from engaging in open dialogue about important political issues.
In light of these revelations, it is imperative for Congress to conduct thorough investigations into these practices by federal agencies under the Biden-Harris administration.
Safeguarding constitutional freedoms and ensuring transparency within government operations must be prioritized to prevent further erosion of democratic norms.
