Biden’s DOJ compiles list of individuals engaging with Trump on Twitter
Biden DOJ Collects List of Every Person Who Followed, Retweeted or Mentioned Donald Trump on Twitter
Court documents released Monday by the Justice Department reveal that special counsel Jack Smith has gained access to the Twitter activity of everyone who liked, retweeted, or mentioned Donald Trump, now referred to as X. This revelation is part of Smith’s investigation into Trump’s actions leading up to the Capitol incursion of Jan. 6, 2021.
The search warrant, issued in January by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is now available for viewing here. The release of these documents came about as a result of a lawsuit brought by a consortium of media organizations seeking transparency in the special counsel’s probe into Trump, as reported by the New York Post.
While some of the released documents are heavily redacted, one page indicates that Smith demanded access to all information from the ‘Connect’ or ‘Notifications’ tab for Trump’s account, including lists of Twitter users who engaged with his tweets and all tweets that mentioned his username. The DOJ also sought information on users that Trump followed, unfollowed, muted, unmuted, blocked, or unblocked, as well as users who interacted with his account in the same way.
Conservative podcaster and attorney Eric Matheny expressed his concern over the warrant’s release, emphasizing that the DOJ is interested in knowing who liked or retweeted Trump’s tweets. He tweeted, “If you liked or retweeted Trump’s tweets – the DOJ wants to know. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s search warrant for Trump’s Twitter account specifically seeks lists of Twitter users who engaged with Trump’s account. This government is out of control!”
If you liked or retweeted Trump’s tweets – the DOJ wants to know. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s search warrant for Trump’s Twitter account specifically seeks lists of Twitter users who engaged with Trump’s account. This government is out of control! https://t.co/kwXil1rbzD
– Eric Matheny (@ericmmatheny) November 29, 2023
The New York Post reported that Twitter initially resisted handing over the data, citing concerns about violating users’ First Amendment rights and the Stored Communications Act. However, the federal judge overseeing the case ruled in favor of Smith and imposed a $350,000 fine against Twitter for contempt of court. In July, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the ruling.
BOMBSHELL.
Special Counsel Jack Smith sought Twitter data on “all lists of Twitter users who have favorited or retweeted tweets posted by [Trump]”…
DOJ Ordered Sweep of Trump’s Twitter Data for Everyone Who ‘Liked, Followed or Retweeted’ Trump https://t.co/grQbdI5UgG
– Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) November 29, 2023
Smith’s court filing opposing Trump’s notification about the Twitter search warrant was also released, with significant redactions. In the filing, Smith argued that notifying the former president, a sophisticated actor with a large platform, would result in harm to the investigation. He stated that notifying Trump could lead to the destruction or tampering of evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, or other serious risks to the investigation or trial.
In August, Smith indicted Trump on four counts related to the 2021 Capitol incursion and alleged interference in the 2020 election. The court filing can be accessed here.
The post Biden DOJ Collects List of Every Person Who Followed, Retweeted or Mentioned Donald Trump on Twitter appeared first on The Western Journal.
What should be the balance between privacy and law enforcement when social media platforms disclose personal information without explicit consent or a clear legal basis
Tion of user privacy. However, the social media platform ultimately complied with the search warrant and provided the DOJ with the requested information. This move raises questions about the extent of privacy and the potential for government overreach in monitoring individuals’ online activities.
It is important to note that this investigation is focused on determining Trump’s actions leading up to the Capitol incursion on January 6, 2021. The DOJ’s interest in individuals who engaged with Trump’s account implies that they are trying to establish connections, gather evidence, or uncover potential threats related to that event. However, the wide net cast by including anyone who liked, retweeted, or mentioned Trump raises concerns about the violation of privacy rights and the chilling effect it may have on free speech.
Privacy is a fundamental right that should be protected, especially in the digital age where our online activities are constantly being tracked and stored. As social media platforms like Twitter hold vast amounts of personal data, users should have reasonable expectations of privacy when engaging with content on these platforms. The disclosure of this information to the DOJ without explicit consent or a clear legal basis raises questions about the balance between privacy and law enforcement.
Furthermore, the release of these court documents and the subsequent attention it has garnered once again highlights the need for transparency in government investigations. The media organizations involved in the lawsuit sought these documents to shed light on the special counsel’s probe into Trump and ensure accountability. The public has a right to know the extent of the investigation and the actions taken by law enforcement agencies.
The concerns raised by conservative podcaster and attorney Eric Matheny reflect a broader sentiment among those who value privacy and individual rights. The warrant’s inclusion of individuals who simply engaged with Trump’s tweets, such as liking or retweeting, may be seen as an overreach by the DOJ. It is essential to question the motive behind such an extensive data collection and whether it serves a legitimate investigative purpose or infringes on the rights of individuals.
As debates around privacy and government surveillance continue, it is crucial for society to address these issues and establish clear guidelines and limitations on data collection and monitoring. Balancing the need for public safety and the protection of individual rights is a delicate task that should be approached with care.
In conclusion, the revelation that the Biden DOJ has collected a list of every person who followed, retweeted, or mentioned Donald Trump on Twitter raises concerns about privacy, government overreach, and the potential chilling effect on free speech. The disclosure of court documents and the subsequent attention it has garnered highlights the need for transparency in government investigations. As discussions around privacy and surveillance persist, society must find a balance between public safety and the protection of individual rights in the digital age.
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