Rep. Adam Schiff sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security officials announcing an investigation into the actions the agency took to respond to widespread protests in Portland, Oregon, over the last few weeks.
The California Democrat, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, addressed concerns over how the department collected intelligence and extensively monitored journalists and nonviolent protesters. The letter was addressed to DHS acting Secretary Chad Wolf and Horace Jen, Office of Intelligence and Analysis acting undersecretary.
“Let me be clear: reporting regarding the monitoring of peaceful protesters, creating and disseminating intelligence reports about journalists and protesters, and potential exploitation of electronic devices is deeply troubling,” Schiff writes. “The revelations require a full accounting, and, if substantiated, must never be allowed to occur again.”
The committee is requesting several DHS and I&A officials be made available this month for transcribed interviews, including Jen, the former acting Undersecretary for I&A Brian Murphy, and others involved in the activities surrounding the protests. The committee is also seeking additional intelligence reports, including those referenced in Washington Post articles and a copy of I&A policies and guidance.
“If the department does not produce the information and persons requested, and according to the timetable described in this letter, the committee will consider all options necessary to obtain compliance—including compulsory process,” Schiff writes.
The inquiry comes after Murphy was removed from his post after reports from the Washington Post revealed his office had compiled intelligence reports on journalists and protests in Portland. In days leading up to Murphy’s removal, his office compiled Open Source Intelligence Reports about the work of two journalists who had published leaked department documents. In a separate intelligence report, the office also analyzed the communications of protesters.
Murphy was reassigned to a new position in the department’s management directorate, an administrative support office, at the direction of Wolf.
Wolf ordered I&A to stop collecting information on journalists and ordered an investigation after the article came out.
Portland became the focus of federal activity, and monitoring after unrest led to increased violence in the area, prompting the Trump administration to send in federal agents to help quell the activity.
