TLDR:
A letter from the House Judiciary Committee reveals that federal investigators asked banks to search and flag customer transactions using terms like “MAGA” and “Trump” as part of an investigation into the events of January 6. The investigations also suggested that banks should query transactions using keywords related to sporting and firearm stores. The committee is concerned about the infringement on privacy rights and is seeking testimony from individuals involved.
Key points:
- The House Judiciary Committee obtained documents indicating that banks were asked to search and filter customer transactions using terms like “MAGA” and “Trump” as part of an investigation into January 6.
- Banks were also advised to query transactions with keywords related to sporting and firearm stores.
- The committee is concerned about the infringement on privacy rights and is requesting testimony from individuals involved.
Article:
A letter obtained by Fox News Digital reveals that federal investigators asked banks to search and flag customer transactions using terms like “MAGA” and “Trump” as part of an investigation into the events of January 6. The House Judiciary Committee obtained documents showing that financial institutions were instructed to use generic terms like “Trump” and “MAGA” to search for Zelle payment messages. Banks were also advised to query transactions with keywords related to sporting and firearm stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cabela’s, and Bass Pro Shops.
The House Judiciary Committee and its subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have been conducting oversight of federal law enforcement’s “receipt of information about American citizens without legal process and its engagement with the private sector.” Committee Chair Jim Jordan expressed concerns over the infringement on privacy rights, stating that the use of financial surveillance, carried out in coordination with federal law enforcement, “raises serious doubts about FinCEN’s respect for fundamental liberties.”
The committee is requesting testimony from individuals involved in the investigation, including Noah Bishoff, the former director of FinCEN. They are also seeking testimony from Peter Sullivan, a senior private sector partner for outreach in the Strategic Partner Engagement Section at the FBI.
While the impetus for the investigation was the events of January 6, a source familiar with the documents stated that the information obtained was used for investigations beyond that date. The source also stated that the effort by FinCEN to work with law enforcement to assist with their post-January 6 efforts began under the previous administration.
The House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into the events of January 6 is ongoing, with a separate committee also investigating the events.
