Freedom Caucus Launches ‘Don’t Spy on Me’ Campaign

With the expiration of an important federal spy power approaching, the House Freedom Caucus—the House of Representatives’ hard-line conservative faction—is preparing for battle in what its members view as a fight over Americans’ privacy rights.

“Don’t spy on me,” Freedom Caucus members declare in a new video campaign inspired by the American revolutionary phrase “Don’t Tread on Me,” which appears on the Gadsden flag.

On June 12, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which grants the federal government the authority to surveil foreigners without a warrant, will expire.

For years, critics have demanded changes to the surveillance program, arguing it has led to the warrantless surveillance of Americans whose data is intermingled with that of foreign actors.

“If you’re an American, you shouldn’t be spied on as a foreigner, but they did it anyhow,” Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., says in the video.

In April, Congress voted twice for short-term extensions of the power after failing to agree on a compromise framework for reforms.

House Republican leadership and Rep. Rick Crawford, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, argued the program has already been substantially reformed and that President Donald Trump’s administration has cracked down on its abuse.

Meanwhile, Democrats, following the lead of Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, rejected a clean extension, denying Republican leadership the ability to easily overcome defections in their own party.

Most recently, the House passed a compromise bill that acceded to certain Freedom Caucus requests for stricter warrant requirements and a ban on a government-issued central bank digital currency, but the Senate rejected it, sending the House back a short-term extension of the status quo, which it in turn passed.

Now, as Congress faces yet another deadline, the Freedom Caucus is staking its territory on FISA, while also demanding a ban on a central bank digital currency, as well as the reversal of federal legislation requiring “kill switch” technology in cars.

“I don’t know any Americans that want Big Brother controlling our cars, tracking our money, or really just surveilling us from every corner that we turn,” says Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., in the caucus’ video.

Harris adds, “It’s important that as we come to this June 12 end of FISA, that we understand the importance of getting a warrant.”

It appears the caucus is not without friends in the upper chamber, as Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reacted favorably to the video release.

“Congress must reform FISA 702. Or let it expire,” wrote Lee n X. “Tell your senators and representatives: There can be no reauthorization of FISA 702 without major reforms to protect your Fourth Amendment rights.”

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., called for a reformed extension as well on Monday.

“We need to get to work this week to FIX FISA and PROTECT the Fourth Amendment,” wrote Scott on X.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has similarly stated his desire for FISA reform.

“It’s time to fix FISA and require the government to get a warrant,” Paul wrote on X.

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