WASHINGTON: A small revolt in corners of the Republican Party bedevils plans for reauthorization this year of surveillance capabilities considered the “crown jewels” of the U.S. intelligence community.
Those capabilities, subject of a Senate intelligence committee hearing Wednesday, has some Republicans worried that they could get caught up in the same secret government intercepts of communications that helped to land President Donald Trump’s short-lived national security adviser in legal jeopardy.
Indeed, some conservatives on Capitol Hill think intelligence sources could leak information on them too, as they did on former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and routinely flout laws sharply limiting surveillance on Americans.
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WNU Editor: These concerns are valid. When people like former UN Ambassador Samantha Powers had the authority to unmask U.S. individuals who were talking to foreigners under surveillance .... Samantha Power Unmasked (FOX News) .... you have to wonder how far did this go. Unfortunately .... I still expect these intel surveillance measures will be reauthorized .... President Trump himself is pushing for it .... Trump backs permanent snooping powers for intelligence agencies (Washington Times) .... and I do not see the Democrats opposing it either.
