In recent developments, the federal government has intensified its surveillance activities, focusing on the financial transactions of American citizens. A report from the House Judiciary Committee’s Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government reveals that over 14,000 federal employees conducted more than 3.3 million warrantless searches of private financial data in 2023. These searches targeted individuals based on political beliefs, with major financial institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase providing customer data to the FBI without legal process.
The data shared included transaction details, locations, and descriptions, allowing federal employees to compile detailed profiles on individuals. Search terms such as “MAGA” and “TRUMP” were used to monitor citizens, flagging routine transactions like purchasing a Bible or shopping at outdoor stores as potential indicators of extremism.
This practice raises concerns about the violation of constitutional protections, particularly the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause and a warrant. By encouraging financial institutions to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) on flagged individuals or transactions, the FBI bypasses traditional legal processes. This approach intensified after January 6, 2021, with the FBI reviewing transaction data for tenuous links to terrorism.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established on President Trump’s first day in office, has also been scrutinized for its access to Americans’ sensitive personal information. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with over 40 federal agencies seeking transparency about DOGE’s efforts to access and analyze personal data. Reports suggest that DOGE has infiltrated federal agencies, gaining access to databases containing individuals’ finances, health records, and social security data. The ACLU urges Congress to conduct immediate oversight of this executive overreach.
The expansion of surveillance extends beyond financial data. In 2024, facial recognition technology became more prevalent, with government agencies and private companies collecting biometric data without consent. Geofencing tactics were employed to monitor protests and rallies, turning innocent citizens into suspects based on their location data. DNA databases grew, with law enforcement agencies harvesting genetic material to build profiles of individuals and their families.
Social media platforms, often acting at the behest of federal agencies, engaged in widespread censorship of viewpoints deemed “unacceptable” by the ruling elite. The government funded programs aimed at policing online discourse, focusing on silencing critics of COVID-19 policies, climate change narratives, and other progressive agendas. Social media giants like Facebook and Twitter removed posts, banned accounts, and manipulated algorithms to suppress conservative voices.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also taken steps to increase its control over the broadband sector. Initiatives on “net neutrality,” “digital anti-discrimination,” and “data security” have been introduced, imposing standards on broadband providers and granting the FCC unprecedented control over the industry. The reclassification of broadband providers as public utilities under “net neutrality” rules is seen as a strategy to cement federal oversight over a critical industry.
The REAL ID Act has been criticized for setting a dangerous precedent for mission creep. The law’s vague language grants the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) broad authority to expand its scope, potentially requiring biometric data like fingerprints, retina scans, or even vaccination records. This could lead to a comprehensive national ID system, controlling access to jobs, healthcare, or public spaces.
In testimony before the Senate, the ACLU urged Congress to protect against executive branch overreach in terrorism investigations. The organization filed FOIA requests seeking transparency about DOGE’s access to Americans’ data and called on Congress to conduct immediate oversight of this executive overreach.
These developments highlight the growing reach of federal surveillance and the potential erosion of personal liberties. The expansion of government oversight into various aspects of citizens’ lives raises questions about the balance between national security and individual privacy. As these policies are implemented, ongoing monitoring and oversight will be necessary to ensure that constitutional protections are upheld.
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Mark Davis writes on constitutional rights, firearms legislation, and state-level legal trends. A graduate of Liberty University with a background in legal research, he has reported on gun rights cases from state courts to the Supreme Court. Before journalism, he worked with a constitutional law nonprofit focused on Second Amendment litigation.