The Case for Keeping Enhanced Surveillance Authority | Washington Monthly

Rep. Darin LaHood says the FBI conducted unlawful searches of his name as part of the controversial program “Section 702’s” The program is supposed to be about preventing attacks on Americans from international terrorist networks and adversarial nations.

Peter Bergen: Despite having his privacy trampled, he wants to keep the program in place.

He says some leading House Republicans have said such a “clean” reauthorization won’t happen.

Julian Zelizer: Government reviews show Section 702 is effective in preventing terrorist attacks.

He says they say it has helped prevent terrorist attacks in U.S. and abroad.

Zelizer says critics are ceding argument over program’s effectiveness, but needn’t be woven into hysterical narrative.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said reforms are working, with bureau queries of Americans in 2022 down 93 percent from the year prior.

Julian Zelizer: Assessing the FBI’s reform efforts before amending Section 702 would be a reasonable course of action.

But those with ideological axes to grind will not be eager to give the FBI reforms a chance to work, Zelizer says.