FBI Expands Agents’ Investigative Power

NY Times via Mercury News ^ | June 12, 2011

[callisto]

The FBI is giving significant new powers to its roughly 14,000 agents -- allowing them more leeway to search databases, go through household trash or use surveillance teams to scrutinize the lives of people who have attracted their attention.

< SNIP >

Some of the most notable changes apply to the lowest category of investigations, called an "assessment." The category, created in December 2008, allows agents to look into people and organizations "proactively" and without firm evidence for suspecting criminal or terrorist activity.

[elpadre]

The FBI has no license to make such changes. If this is true, the DOJ caused it to happen.

[SpaceBar]

What legislative Act through Congress gave them these additional powers?

Was wondering that myself.

[Big_Harry]

I remember when the FBI introduce the “Carnivore” program for reading emails. If I am not mistaken, the Earthlink was the last provider to lose the right to protect their customer’s privacy.

At the time, my next door neighbor was a computer programmer/hacker for the FBI. She told me back then (more than ten years ago) that they could suck the contents of your hard drive faster than you could shut it down if anything suspicious showed up. She also told me that the government would never abuse the privilege, wink, wink, nod, nod.

[Dead Corpse]

I'm almost willing to bet these are "new" powers under either the PATRIOT Act or via EO's.

Neither have a Constitutional basis when they start negating arbitrarily parts of the Bill of Rights.

[Girlene]

The FBI has no license to make such changes. If this is true, the DOJ caused it to happen.

According to the article, the spokeperson claims the FBI doesn't need "permission" to change its manual as long the rules "fit within broad guidelines issued by the attorney general."

[Scotsman will be Free]

Good story and so typical. What goes hand in hand with that is every time something happens that some people don’t like they want a new law passed outlawing the activity.

[Dead Corpse]

Good. they can help sort out more recyclables while they are at it.

I'm still not sure if the plastic jugs my AA#7 comes in, or spent primers, are recyclable...

[onedoug]

Bush....er, soetoro´s fault.

[bamahead]

bookmark

[philman_36]

The countdown begins for the day some Citizen unknowingly shoots an agent messing around on their property in the dark of the night.
It shouldn't be too long of a wait.

[Buckeye McFrog]

the coming political tsumami in this country will be both 1)economically populist, and 2)libertarian.

I just hope it does not break out in the form of a Ross Perot-style third candidacy next fall.

[Buckeye McFrog]

The countdown begins for the day some Citizen unknowingly shoots an agent messing around on their property in the dark of the night. It shouldn't be too long of a wait.

Either that or someone will be setting booby trap time bombs in bags of garbage.

[philman_36]

Either that or someone will be setting booby trap time bombs in bags of garbage.
That's some sick, twisted thinking there.
An innocent garbage man would probably wind up being hurt or killed doing that.

[thefactor]

It has long been established that searching through garbage without a warrant is acceptable.

[Texas resident]

The FBI is giving new powers to its’ roughly 14,000 agents—allowing them more leeway to search databases, go through household trash or use servalance teams to scrutinize the life of Sarah Palin.

fixed.

[BenLurkin]

What is an “advocacy group”?

Certainly doesn’t sound criminal.

[Towed_Jumper]

“It has long been established that searching through garbage without a warrant is acceptable.”

Which is why EVER piece of paper from junk mail to more important documents with my name on it ALL goes through my paper shredder before it goes into the trash.

[NFHale]

“...ALL goes through my paper shredder before it goes into the trash...”

Wouldn’t even put it in the trash; I shred mine, then use it as fireplace kindling.

Going “green”, after all...

[EBH]

I just hope it does not break out in the form of a Ross Perot-style third candidacy next fall.

or if it does...lets all get behind it. If the republican party comes out looking weak, worthless, and sissies...lets get behind the ones that have the courage, fight, and passion.

[Smokin' Joe]

Which is why EVER piece of paper from junk mail to more important documents with my name on it ALL goes through my paper shredder before it goes into the trash.

Yep.