Buckeye Reporter

The U.S. House of Representatives' Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government recently held a hearing to address concerns regarding the federal government's actions against the American people. The committee uncovered troubling practices of surveillance and data collection by federal agencies, sparking outrage among lawmakers and advocates.

During the Hearing on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, it was revealed that the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had been collecting information on Americans' purchases of firearms and ammunition, as well as tracking individuals using search terms like "Bible." This revelation raised serious questions about potential violations of Americans' Fourth Amendment rights.

Chairman Jim Jordan expressed Congress's grave concerns over the government's intrusive surveillance activities, stating, "Big government wants your financial data because it’s full of sensitive information about you." He highlighted the targeting of gun owners, emphasizing that individuals exercising their Second Amendment rights were being unfairly scrutinized without due process.

Rep. Greg Steube echoed these sentiments, condemning the government's actions as he stated, "It’s appalling that a federal agency would ask private companies to spy on their customers conducting perfectly legal business transactions." He criticized the targeting of gun owners and suggested a bias against those who uphold their constitutional rights.

Jeremy Tedesco of the Alliance Defending Freedom testified about banks using vague reasons to "de-bank" individuals with differing political views, underscoring the collusion between the federal government and financial institutions to marginalize certain groups. This practice raised concerns about the suppression of dissenting opinions and the erosion of privacy rights.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik highlighted the creation of a Merchant Category Code specific to firearm retailers, which raised alarms about potential surveillance and infringement on Second Amendment rights. She introduced the Protecting Privacy and Purchases Act to address these concerns and safeguard law-abiding Americans from unconstitutional overreach.

Brian Knight, a senior research fellow, cautioned against the use of the MCC, warning that it could lead to a national firearm registry and undermine individuals' rights. He emphasized the importance of protecting privacy and preventing unwarranted government intrusion into lawful activities.

The revelations from the House committee's hearing shed light on the concerning practices of the federal government and its impact on Americans' privacy and constitutional rights. Lawmakers and advocates are calling for greater transparency and accountability to ensure that government agencies uphold the principles of democracy and respect individual liberties.