Jim Jordan is investigating if GoFundMe and Eventbrite aided federal authorities in monitoring Trump supporters
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan Investigating GoFundMe and Eventbrite’s Cooperation with Federal Law Enforcement
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) is delving into whether GoFundMe and Eventbrite collaborated with federal law enforcement during their probe into the financial transactions of supporters of former President Donald Trump.
In a bold move, Jordan wrote to executives at both companies on Monday, demanding any communications they had with the FBI and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the Treasury Department. He highlighted that FinCEN had sent emails to banks about flagging transactions related to “MAGA” and “TRUMP”.
Following the breach at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, FinCEN reached out to banks for assistance in identifying transactions made by Trump supporters and individuals who purchased religious texts or visited specific outdoor stores like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. Jordan revealed that FinCEN provided the banks with typologies, suggested search terms, and even directed them to crowdfunding sites. The congressman previously expressed that “FinCEN warned financial institutions of ’extremism’ indicators.”
In his letter to GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan, Jordan stated that FinCEN had emailed financial institutions a list of crowdfunding sites, including GoFundMe, Eventbrite, and Anedot, among others. The email explained how financial institutions could use a “transaction reference” to identify customers making specific transactions on crowdfunding sites.
“For example, in the email, FinCEN alerted financial institutions to customers’ use of Eventbrite, noting that ‘people have been observed using this site to post an event and sell tickets including bus tickets to the demonstrations,’” Jordan added.
Jordan highlighted how transactions made by individuals who “purchased tickets to events in support of President Trump” were flagged by FinCEN for potential investigation.
“Despite these transactions having no apparent nexus to criminal activity — and, in fact, relate to Americans exercising their First Amendment rights — FinCEN seems to have adopted a characterization of these Americans as potential threat actors,” Jordan wrote. “This kind of pervasive financial surveillance, carried out in coordination with federal law enforcement, without legal process, into Americans’ private transactions is alarming and raises serious concerns about the federal government’s potential abuses of Americans’ fundamental civil liberties.”
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In his letters, Jordan requested any communications from the FBI or FinCEN to either GoFundMe or Eventbrite. He set a deadline of March 18 for the companies to comply with his requests.
The revelations about the federal government’s investigation into Trump supporters have lawmakers concerned about potential violations of constitutional liberties, the government’s use of private financial information, and coordination between FinCEN and the private sector.
RELATED: Feds Flagged Terms Like ‘Trump,’ ‘MAGA’ For Banks To Comb Through Customer Data, Jordan Says
Did GoFundMe and Eventbrite willingly cooperate with FinCEN and the FBI, or were they compelled to do so?
T-weight: 400″>Jordan emphasized the potential chilling effect these actions could have on free speech and political activity. He questioned whether GoFundMe and Eventbrite willingly cooperated with FinCEN and the FBI, or if they were compelled to do so. He requested information on any legal process, including subpoenas or warrants, that may have been used to obtain user information from the platforms. He also sought details on the number of users affected and the specific transactions that were flagged.
The investigation comes in the wake of growing concerns about the government’s surveillance of its own citizens and potential violations of privacy rights. The targeting of Trump supporters and individuals engaging in lawful political activity raises serious questions about the impartiality and fairness of the investigation. Critics argue that it could be a form of political discrimination and an infringement on First Amendment rights.
It is crucial to strike a balance between national security and protecting civil liberties. While law enforcement agencies have a duty to investigate potential threats and illegal activities, they must do so within the confines of the law and uphold the constitutional rights of individuals.
Jordan’s inquiry into GoFundMe and Eventbrite’s cooperation with federal law enforcement is an important step in ensuring accountability and transparency. It is essential to understand the extent of the companies’ involvement in the investigation and whether they acted voluntarily or were coerced.
This investigation raises broader questions about the role of technology platforms in providing user data to law enforcement agencies. As more and more transactions and activities take place online, it becomes increasingly important to establish clear guidelines and standards for protecting user privacy while also aiding in the investigation of criminal activities.
The outcome of Jordan’s investigation could have far-reaching implications for the future of online platforms and their relationship with law enforcement. It could set a precedent for how companies handle user data, cooperate with government requests, and protect the rights and privacy of their users.
Overall, the investigation led by House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan into the cooperation between GoFundMe and Eventbrite with federal law enforcement is crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability. It is essential to determine the extent of the companies’ involvement and the legality of their actions. This investigation serves as a reminder that the balance between national security and civil liberties must always be upheld and that technology platforms have a responsibility to protect user privacy and rights.
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