On Jan. 10, the U.S. House of Representatives established a special subcommittee to investigate the “weaponization” of the federal government by federal law enforcement agencies.
The subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee is equipped with multiple powers to issue subpoenas, receive information sharing with the House Intelligence Committee, and oversee federal investigations of U.S. citizens, including ongoing federal criminal investigations.
Under the resolution, the subcommittee is empowered and directed to investigate whether the federal agencies colluded with private companies to collect information on U.S. citizens, functioning as part of the House Judiciary Committee.
Ohio Rep. Congressman Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, is expected to chair the subcommittee.
Congressman Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Rules Committee, said the subcommittee is modeled on the Church committee established in 1975, a special committee appointed by the U.S. Senate that year to investigate violations of the rights of U.S. citizens by U.S. intelligence agencies.
Cole also said: The United States today faces a similar situation in the 1970s. We have seen how the executive branch violates the liberties of American citizens, especially for political reasons. The newly established subcommittee will study and report on how the executive branch collects information on American citizens or otherwise violates the rights of American citizens.
Cole believes that the American people deserve to have confidence in their government, and they should know that the powers they have given to the FBI, DHS, and intelligence agencies are not being abused. The executive branch has no power to position itself as the final arbiter of truth. People deserve to know they will not be labeled domestic terrorists for defending their children before a school board. It’s the First Amendment to the US Constitution.