The House Freedom Caucus is escalating its opposition to renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without a warrant requirement, unveiling a new video campaign titled “Don’t Spy on Me” as Congress approaches a June 12 deadline. The message echoes the Revolutionary‑era slogan “Don’t Tread on Me,” a phrase long associated with the Gadsden flag.
Section 702 authorizes warrantless surveillance of foreign targets overseas, but critics say the program has repeatedly swept up Americans’ communications in the process. The caucus argues that the statute has been used far beyond its intended scope. One line in the video states, “If you’re an American, you shouldn’t be spied on as a foreigner, but they did it anyhow.”
Congress has already passed two short‑term extensions this year after failing to reach agreement on a long‑term reform package. House leadership and Representative Rick Crawford, who serves as the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, have said the program has undergone significant reforms and that the Trump administration has tightened compliance. But Democrats, led by Representative Jamie Raskin on the Judiciary Committee, rejected a clean extension, leaving leadership without the votes needed to advance it.
A compromise bill that included several Freedom Caucus priorities—such as stricter warrant requirements and a prohibition on a government‑issued central bank digital currency—passed the House but was rejected by the Senate. Lawmakers ultimately approved another short‑term extension, returning the issue to Congress once again.
The caucus is now tying its FISA demands to broader concerns about federal surveillance and emerging technologies. Representative Mark Harris appears in the video warning about government overreach. “I don’t know any Americans that want Big Brother controlling our cars, tracking our money, or really just surveilling us from every corner that we turn,” he says. Harris adds, “It’s important that as we come to this June 12 end of FISA, that we understand the importance of getting a warrant.”
The campaign has drawn support from several senators who have long pushed for FISA reform. Senator Mike Lee reacted to the video by writing, “Congress must reform FISA 702. Or let it expire. Tell your senators and representatives: There can be no reauthorization of FISA 702 without major reforms to protect your Fourth Amendment rights.” Senator Rick Scott echoed that sentiment, saying, “We need to get to work this week to FIX FISA and PROTECT the Fourth Amendment.” Senator Rand Paul has also reiterated his position, writing, “It’s time to fix FISA and require the government to get a warrant.”
With the deadline approaching, congressional leaders face renewed pressure to decide whether Section 702 will be reformed, extended, or allowed to lapse as negotiations continue into June.
