Civil liberties are under assault in the United States as authorities target contributors to Russian media, suggesting Russiagate will play a prominent role during a third consecutive US presidential election cycle.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation reportedly plans to continue its crackdown on journalists and other dissidents connected to foreign news organizations, with criminal charges under consideration.
“More searches are expected soon, some of the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss investigations. Criminal charges are also possible, they said.”
Electronic equipment was reportedly seized from Ritter, while Simes claimed agents removed artwork from his home in Virginia and froze multiple bank accounts. Both men are American citizens.
“And they’re using all of these different legal justifications – FARA, the Foreign Agents Registration Act – to justify coming after a dissident,” he claimed. “That’s really what it is.”
“These are politically motivated at the end of the day,” agreed Jackman. “It’s just really what they are. And, they can give all of these different excuses for why they’re targeting certain individuals, but it’s facially obvious.”
“The First Amendment should be being screamed from the rafters by the ACLU,” said host Steve Gill in response to the apparent acts of political intimidation. “Why aren’t they defending Scott Ritter? You know, when you’ve got the Democrats having their convention, why aren’t they screaming, in addition to democracy, First Amendment?”
According to attorney John Jackman, the FBI’s actions represent a new level of political persecution beyond McCarthyism, with dissidents being targeted for speaking their truth.
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