FBI Gathered Intelligence on Reporters, Religious Orgs Using ‘Assessment’ Authority, Watchdog Report Says

Why It Matters

The disclosure highlights potential overreach of FBI investigative powers, threatening press freedom, religious liberty and political activity, and could trigger tighter congressional oversight.

Key Takeaways

• FBI opened ~830 assessments on journalists, churches, officials.
• Assessments bypass warrant thresholds, using subpoenas and human sources.
• 20% of assessments lasted over 180 days.
• GAO flags undercounted non‑compliance due to self‑reporting.
• Congress may tighten Section 702 amid FBI surveillance concerns.

Pulse Analysis

The FBI’s assessment authority, a pre‑investigative phase that does not require a criminal predicate, has become a focal point for civil‑rights watchdogs. Unlike traditional investigations, assessments allow agents to deploy physical surveillance, subpoena electronic communications and recruit confidential sources without a court order. Between 2018 and 2024, the agency opened hundreds of such cases, targeting journalists, religious institutions and elected officials—groups traditionally shielded by the First Amendment. This expansive use underscores a growing gap between national‑security tools and the legal safeguards that protect democratic discourse.

GAO’s review reveals that the FBI’s internal compliance mechanisms rely heavily on self‑reporting, likely undercounting policy violations. About one‑fifth of the assessments remained active for more than 180 days, raising questions about oversight and proportionality. Civil‑liberties advocates argue that the lack of evidentiary thresholds erodes trust in law‑enforcement, especially when the subjects include the press and faith‑based organizations. The report’s recommendation for independent audit tools could prompt the bureau to adopt more robust monitoring, aligning its practices with evolving expectations for transparency and accountability.

The revelations arrive as Congress debates the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key legal framework the FBI frequently leverages. Lawmakers are weighing the need for robust intelligence capabilities against documented misuses of surveillance powers. The GAO findings may fuel bipartisan calls for stricter limits on assessment authority, potentially reshaping the balance between national security and constitutional rights. Stakeholders from media outlets to religious groups are likely to intensify lobbying efforts, seeking clearer safeguards against unwarranted intelligence gathering.