A new investigation reveals how decades of aggressive "counterterror" surveillance tactics by federal agencies—including the Department of Homeland Security—created the framework for later abuses under the Trump administration, culminating in high-profile raids like the one targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar. The piece traces how these policies, justified under the guise of national security, were weaponized against communities long before recent controversies. Writers and lawmakers examine how institutional practices enabled overreach, raising questions about accountability and the lasting impact on civil liberties. The analysis underscores how surveillance systems, once established, can be repurposed for political ends.
Rep. Delia Ramirez and writers Rozina Ali and Will Sommer discuss the ICE raid on Ilhan Omar and the years of “counterterror” surveillance that paved the way for the Trump administration’s abuses. The post DHS Was Designed as a Weapon appeared first on The Intercept.
