Congressman Carson to Holder: We Need Answers on Government Monitoring

Congressman Carson to Holder: We Need Answers on Government Monitoring

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) and Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, calling for specific details about the federal government's monitoring of the communications of American citizens.

Last week, a report by The Intercept exposed that the federal government has been monitoring Muslim Americans, including five prominent individuals highlighted in the article.

"As one of two Muslims in Congress and a former Homeland Security official who worked in counterterrorism, I understand the importance of monitoring potential threats," Carson said. "However, I am deeply concerned that our government may have been spying on American citizens simply based on their religious affiliation."

The letter is asking the Department of Justice, Director of National Intelligence, National Security Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide a briefing about the nature of this surveillance program, the types of communications monitored, the number of Americans affected, the criteria used for their selection, and how religion or other First Amendment protected rights were factored into surveillance determinations. In addition, it asks for information on any specific threats which may have been intercepted or countered using intelligence gathered through these methods and any similar programs that have yet to be disclosed.

"I am committed to ensuring that the civil liberties of all Americans are protected and no one is profiled based on their race, religion, ethnicity, or political activity," Carson said. "The information we are requesting is critical to ensure we can properly oversee our intelligence community and ensure they are not violating the basic rights of the American public."