Democrats have been on a crusade to reframe the wanton abuses of power over the course of the previous administration’s tenure.
Gaslighting in defense of the Deep State just reached a whole new level.
And Democrat Dan Goldman’s outburst during this committee hearing left Jim Jordan in total disbelief.
Democrat Congressman defends warrantless surveillance of Americans during House Judiciary hearing
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing on Tuesday titled “A Continued Pattern of Government Surveillance of U.S. Citizens” focused on the government’s abuse of its surveillance powers.
Subcommittee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) called the hearing to examine how the federal government routinely violates Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights through programs like the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
But New York Democrat Dan Goldman shockingly defended these invasive programs during the hearing, dismissing concerns about warrantless surveillance as overblown.
Goldman incredibly claimed that Section 702 of FISA – which allows the government to spy on Americans without warrants – collects only “a narrow set of information” rather than the massive dragnet that privacy advocates have documented.
The Democrat’s defense flew in the face of testimony from organizations across the political spectrum, including the left-leaning American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
In fact, the ACLU’s own website contradicts Goldman’s claims, stating the government “engages in mass, warrantless surveillance of Americans’ and foreigners’ phone calls, text messages, emails, and other electronic communications” under Section 702.
Goldman deflects attention from surveillance abuses by attacking Elon Musk
Rather than address the serious constitutional concerns raised by privacy advocates, Goldman attempted to change the subject.
The Democrat congressman bizarrely pivoted to attacking Elon Musk, suggesting the billionaire might have improper access to information through his role in the Trump administration.
Goldman’s transparent attempt to deflect attention away from government spying programs shocked observers, who noted the congressman seemed more concerned with protecting government surveillance powers than upholding constitutional rights.
🚨Dan Goldman hijacks FISA hearing to gaslight about DOGE:
— says surveillance of US citizens “pales in comparison” to Elon Musk and DOGE getting access to Americans’ personal data. pic.twitter.com/O1ij1dfYSt
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 8, 2025
“Goldman’s detours and deflections only underscored the Committee’s grim thesis: surveillance has outpaced accountability,” reported Reclaim The Net on April 11, 2025.
Bipartisan coalition of privacy advocates testified about surveillance abuses
The hearing featured testimony from a diverse group of witnesses representing organizations across the political spectrum.
Gene Schaerr from the Project for Privacy & Surveillance Accountability, James Czerniawski from Americans for Prosperity, and Kia Hamadanchy from the ACLU all raised serious concerns about government surveillance programs that operate without proper judicial oversight.
The witnesses testified about how Section 702 of FISA, which was renewed in 2024, now requires even more American businesses to provide government access to phones, WiFi routers, and other devices without obtaining a warrant.
Phil Kiko, former Chief of Staff and General Counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, also testified about the need for Congress to strengthen protections for Americans’ civil liberties.
The widespread agreement among these diverse organizations highlights how surveillance has become a rare bipartisan issue, uniting conservatives concerned about government overreach with progressives focused on civil liberties.
Jim Jordan continues fight against the surveillance state
Chairman Jim Jordan has made government accountability a centerpiece of his work on the House Judiciary Committee.
The hearing represents the latest chapter in Jordan’s “extraordinary steadfastness in shedding light and making the public aware of the many ways the government censored, surveilled, or otherwise curtailed citizens’ constitutional rights,” according to Reclaim The Net.
Jordan has previously exposed how the FBI abused its power to spy on the Trump campaign and has consistently fought against the renewal of controversial surveillance authorities without significant reforms.
With defenders of the surveillance state like Goldman continuing to minimize concerns, Jordan’s efforts to protect Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights have become increasingly urgent.
The hearing underscored how government spying has expanded dramatically in recent years, with new technologies like facial recognition raising additional privacy concerns that Congress has yet to address.
Goldman’s performance at the hearing reveals the uphill battle privacy advocates face even after revelations about extensive government surveillance shocked the nation following the Edward Snowden disclosures over a decade ago.
