Intimidtion
In the annals of American law enforcement, there is no agency that has received more praise and publicity than the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Characters like Elliot Ness, an FBI agent well known for his efforts to bring down Al Capone and enforce prohibition in Chicago have had movies and television shows made about their exploits. He led a team of FBI agents, nicknamed “The Untouchables”.
Then there was the FBI television series broadcast on ABC from 1965 until 1974. It starred Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Inspector Lewis Erskine, a model FBI agent. Even today, corporate media still has programs that put the agency in a favorable light. They need that positivity because the agency acronym, FBI, currently means “Federal Bureau of Intimidation”, in view of its behavior over the last several years.
The latest case of FBI excess happened to Mark Houck who was arrested on September 23, for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) last October which protects abortion clinics. He also allegedly shoved a Planned Parenthood volunteer, Bruce Love. Houck, a pro-life activist says Love aggressively approached his 12-year-old son and made obscene comments. Houck pushed Love away to protect his son.
A federal indictment drawn up by Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Justice Department accused Houck of violating the FACE Act. He is also accused of assaulting a Planned Parenthood client escort, identified in the document as “B.L.,” outside a Philadelphia abortion clinic on Oct. 23, 2021.
The law carries stiff penalties for those who engage in “violent, threatening, damaging, and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate, or interfere with the right to seek, obtain, or provide reproductive health services,” according to the Department of Justice.
Nearly a year later, early in the morning Houck was arrested by federal agents in a raid that terrified his family when an FBI SWAT team of about 25 agents in 15 vehicles showed up. They pounded on the door of his home in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania with guns drawn. The agents were armed with automatic weapons, had body armor, and pointed their weapons at Mark and his wife when they arrived. This occurred in front of their seven children. An outrageous and unnecessarily aggressive use of force for such a low-level alleged beef.
Never mind the fact that last October when local authorities were called to investigate the suspected assault, there was not enough evidence to pursue it any further, nor was there enough evidence to file for a violation of the FACE Act. Love did file a criminal complaint against Houck but failed to show up in court.
Can anyone recall when any progressive liberal activist has had their home raided by the FBI? In recent years it seems that those folks who supported Trump, belonged to the Tea Party movement, called the Russian collusion story a hoax or protested the results of the last presidential election have had their door beaten down by zealous FBI agents. Just ask longtime Trump advisers and friends, Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Boris Epshteyn, or strategist Mike Roman how excited they were to welcome the Feds at their front door.
Even the My Pillow guy, Mike Lindell, was recently surrounded by FBI agents at a Hardees drive thru in Iowa and his cell phone was seized. His offense, questioning the use of Dominion Voting machines while protesting the results of the 2020 Presidential election. Free speech anyone?
There appears to be a lack of an even application of the law lately. Was there a raid on Hillary Clinton’s home or any of her associates when it was revealed that she had classified data on her home brew computer server. Has there been a raid on former President Obama’s 33 million presidential documents by the FBI seeking classified data? They are stored in a one-time furniture store located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. They were not guarded by the secret service like Trump’s records. Bet they are guarded now.
FBI Special Agent Steve Friend has indicated he didn’t sign up to conduct political persecution. He became a whistleblower and should be protected under federal law. Not so fast. He has been suspended without pay or benefits for complaining about the agency’s tactics. According to Senator Charles Grassley’s office there are rank and file employees, as well former agents, lining up to report the politicization of the agency. Congressman Jim Jordan has been contacted by 14 FBI employees reporting abuses of power. As an example, cases exist where agents spied on parents who complained about school boards agendas. Parents are not domestic terrorists.
A once revered law enforcement agency has become the SS of the progressive left. The executive leadership of this organization should be perp walked out the door and replaced immediately with dedicated non-partisan leaders.
Political “Intimidation” should not be the primary mission of the FBI.