Jan. 6 committee seeks to expand govt. authority to spy on citizens

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, is pictured. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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UPDATED 9:44 AM PT – Monday, January 3, 2022

The Democrat-controlled January 6 committee is proposing a new expansion to government surveillance programs. In an interview on Sunday, committee chairman Benny Thompson (D-Miss.) said the Democrat panel will recommend new legislation to boost government spying on citizens to prevent future protests at the U.S. Capitol.

The Mississippi Democrat claimed broader surveillance is necessary to ensure security of the U.S. government. Thompson also denounced the January 6 protests, adding similar events must never happen again.

“As you know, it was clear that we were not apprised that something would happen,” he stated, “But, for the most part, it was the worst kept secret in America that people were coming to Washington, and the potential for coordination and what we saw was there. So, we want to make sure that never happens again.”

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chair of House Jan. 6 committee, says the panel will recommend new legislation to boost intelligence gathering to prevent future attacks on U.S. Capitol.

“It was clear that we were not apprised that something would happen.” https://t.co/Ydry7Gs5cd pic.twitter.com/k0Q3bTmtVz

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 3, 2022

Thompson’s remarks sparked controversy with critics saying government surveillance is unconstitutional while the right to peaceful political protests is guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.

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