Cato Institute Sues DOJ over Possible FISA Violations

The Cato Institute sued the Justice Department last week to obtain internal records of possible surveillance violations, as Congress debates reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The Washington, D.C.-based libertarian think tank filed a Freedom of Information Act request, forcing the Justice Department to release audit records of potential FISA violations by the FBI so that Congress may take them into consideration while debating whether to reauthorize the divisive statute. Cato argues the prompt release of the records would be in the public interest, considering bipartisan lawmakers are debating the warrantless surveillance program without full knowledge of past violations.

The Cato Institute sued the Justice Department last week to obtain internal records of possible surveillance violations, as Congress debates reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The Washington, D.C.-based libertarian think tank filed a Freedom of Information Act request, forcing the Justice Department to release audit records of potential FISA violations by the FBI so that Congress may take them into consideration while debating whether to reauthorize the divisive statute. Cato argues the prompt release of the records would be in the public interest, considering bipartisan lawmakers are debating the warrantless surveillance program without full knowledge of past violations.