WASHINGTON — A senator had a simple question for the FBI's counterterrorism chief at a hearing last week about the Capitol riot.
Didn't the FBI see all those postings by extremists on social media before the event, she asked Wednesday, including promises to "occupy the Capitol" and bring "revolution" to Washington?
"To my knowledge, no, ma'am," the counterterrorism chief, Jill Sanborn, responded, going on to explain that the FBI can't monitor "First Amendment-protected activities" without a tip or an open investigation that directs agents to a specific post.
The senator, Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., kept pressing. "So the FBI does not monitor publicly available social media conversations?"
"Correct, ma'am," Sanborn replied. "It's not within our authorities."
The FBI was concerned enough about violence, Wray confirmed, that agents visited a number of extremists under investigation and dissuaded them from coming to Washington for Jan. 6. At the same time, Wray and Sanborn said no intelligence hinted at an invasion of the Capitol, even though that was the site of the Electoral Vote counting that was the focus of anger among Trump supporters.
Wray seemed to imply that the FBI had tried to glean intelligence from social media but that the problem was one of volume.
Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri will not seek re-election in 2022.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 8, 2021
Quote by Raine:
Wow!Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri will not seek re-election in 2022.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 8, 2021
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Wow!Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri will not seek re-election in 2022.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 8, 2021
Probably doesn't want to be in the minority for another 6 years
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning.