Recently, GOP senators have sent a letter to the Department of Justice demanding that the agency provide answers concerning reports that it conducted surveillance on House and Senate staffers during the Russia investigation. The letter, signed by senators Charles Grassley, Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, and others, challenges the DOJ to respond to reports that it monitored the emails and communications of Congressional staff who were in contact with former DoJ employees during the investigation.
The lawmakers argue that the DoJ lacks the authority to conduct such surveillance, and that the reports of the alleged spying are an affront to the American people and the rule of law, both of which are core principles of the DOJ. The senators also claim that such surveillance has the potential to chill future contact with DoJ employees, particularly those appearing before Congress in relation to investigations.
The letter demands that the DOJ “specifically explain the full extent of its monitoring of the communications of Congressional staff as well as categorically confirm that it does not, and will not, conduct surveillance of any regulation-abiding Americans and their communications with Congress.”
Furthermore, the senators suggest that the agency may have violated existing law in conducting the surveillance. The letter cites multiple federal laws potentially violated, such as the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which requires that all federal agencies take steps to “protect the privacy of individuals whose information is in the possession of the agency.”
It remains to be seen how the DOJ will respond to these allegations and the demand for answers. Until then, the American people can only hope that the DoJ is committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens.