NSA Domestic Surveillance Program 'Likely' to Expire Tonight, Former Counterterrorism Official Says

ABC News ^ | May 31, 2015 | Erin Dooley and Arlette Saenz

[2ndDivisionVet]

Key provisions of the PATRIOT Act -- the controversial law that allows the NSA to collect Americans' phone records and secretly track suspected terrorists – will likely expire tonight, a former White House counterterrorism official told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week."

"What I think will likely happen tonight is the law will expire," Richard Clarke said Sunday morning. "And then later in the week, the USA Freedom Act, which is essentially the same as the PATRIOT Act with the exception of the telephony metadata program, that act will pass and most of the authorities will be restored."

Though the White House says even a temporary lapse in the NSA's authority could affect national security, Clarke says it's unlikely to endanger Americans.

"It probably is not as big a deal as the president is making out," he said, noting that the FBI can use other tools, like warrants, in the interim....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Raise your hand if you believe it'll end tonight.

[ripnbang]

Raise your hand if you think it will end even if Congress votes to end it.

[Vermont Lt]

I believe that it will technically end. I do not for one second believe that they will stop.

I find it amusing that the FBI says this did not stop one terrorist act. I would love to know how many RICO and Drug arrests were facilitated by the law.

Let them file warrants. Just like everyone else.

I think they use Terrorism as the boogey man for a lot of things.

[Forgotten Amendments]

Gee, I guess that building in Utah(?) will be empty and The Puzzle Palace will need to rent out office space.

Also, I didn’t contribute to NPR and it’s going off the air tonight. I expect Garrison Keillor to be flipping burgers next week.

[SeeSharp]

...noting that the FBI can use other tools, like warrants, in the interim

Words fail me.

[2ndDivisionVet]

My late father retired from the Marine Corps in 1965 as a communications chief. A few years later he was tapping phone conversations at the frame for Bell telephone. He was not alone.

[jsanders2001]

What’s the name of the new more intrusive one?

[North Coast Conservative]

End or not, I can smell the embers from the Reichstag. Another crisis that some damned progressive will dare not waste.

[2ndDivisionVet]

What makes you think it’s more intrusive?

[RedMDer]

We cannot exist
without you.

Let's Git-R-Done! Monday is June!

We cannot exist
without you.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

I wish.

[jsanders2001]

C’mon 2nd you know how these guys work...2 heads on the same coin, loaded dice, Aces up their sleeves, etc...you can’t trust one word out of their two sided mouths..trust me there is already something in place they haven’t told us about that someone will discover and reveal later...

[2ndDivisionVet]

It’s the USA Freedom Act, IIRC.

[jsanders2001]

On previous administration the name if the act wouldn’t bother me but with Obama thugocracy if freedom is in the title you know it means the exact opposite.

[umgud]

If we closed our doors to muslims and deported any illegally here, we’d go a long way to solving our problem, but if we really thought we were at war with islam, we’d deport them all or restart concentration camps.

[jsanders2001]

On previous administrations the name of the act wouldn’t bother me but with Obama thugocracy if freedom is in the title you know it means the exact opposite.

[rwoodward]

Spying on Americans does nothing more than give the psychological effect of a having gigantic surveillance camera watching you. Even though in reality it is impossible to watch every single American all the time. I work in the retail security business and most of the surveillance cameras and sensor tags and so forth can NEVER stop anyone from stealing. But it will help with the arrest and conviction process. Most terrorist could care less about being arrested and convicted.
Have them get a warrant like and follow the constitution. Im with Patrick Henry on this one!

[rwoodward]

In fact, last night at the local CVS pharmacy I saw a guy go to the back of the store, grab a couple of 12 packs of beer and then waived at the clerk as he walked out the front door.
Oh and not to mention, the scanner bells were going off! So much for surveillance and anti-theft scanners!

[ConservingFreedom]

...noting that the FBI can use other tools, like warrants, in the interim

Words fail me.

If all else fails, follow the Constitution.

[rwoodward]

They call them “Anti-Theft” devices but they are actually only good for “Theft-Deterrence”. Even a Bank cant stop a bank robber. The only thing that can stop a thief or a terrorist is a loaded weapon!