June 18, 2021–Due Process Institute joined organizations from across the political spectrum to condemn the Department of Justice’s surveillance of Members of Congress, their staff, and their families, and urge Congress to investigate this matter as well as enact substantive reforms to prevent such abuse in the future.
On June 10, the New York Times reported that in 2017 and 2018 the Justice Department seized communications records of Representatives Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, congressional staff, and family members—including a child—as part of leak investigations. This broad and intrusive surveillance to collect private information easily leads to abuse and undermines the separation of powers.
We hope the Justice Department will show a genuine commitment to preventing future misconduct by working with Congress, as well as civil rights and civil liberties advocates, in support of new statutory reforms to surveillance and gag orders.