OPINION:
Judge Rosemary Collyer’s rebuke of the FBI and Justice Department is much too little and much too late (“FISA walls tumble; prison time a must,” Web, Dec. 19). Irreparable damage was done by the secret FISA Court (“FISC”) when it approved four warrants to spy on former Trump campaign official Carter Page and anyone with whom Page communicated. The warrants were granted based upon a series of inadequate applications verified under oath by senior members of the Obama FBI and Justice Department.
Whenever an American’s privacy is invaded by government, constitutional rights are threatened and thorough investigation is called for. In the Page case even more intense review should have occurred because of the political context. That did not take place. Shame on the FISC. Further, the FISC stood fecklessly silent when specific FBI and Justice malfeasance was called out in June 2018 letters from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes.
The chief justice is also guilty of inaction when when he was given notice of FBI/Justice mafeasance. Only when Inspector General Horowitz confirmed Nunes’ allegations in every respect with findings of numerous false and misleading statements and omissions did FSIC take notice. Although lied to, misled and generally played for fools, the secret court reacted with a mere slap on the wrist: no contempt, no criminal referrals.
Precatory “cut it out” appeals to the offending agencies are insufficient. Those harmed and offended by FISC’s failure to do its duty must have justice, beginning with a public apology. What’s more, only a particularly naive person would willingly believe that the Carter Page outrage is a one-off situation. To regain lost public confidence in the federal judiciary, the FISC must review every Obama administration FISA application with a jaundiced eye.
BERNARD J. LONG JR.
Bonita Springs, Fla.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.