FBI Caught Spying on Keystone XL Opponents
By Rowan Lee
The FBI is in violation of its own rules – as another
domestic spying scandal broke, the purpose – spying on environmentalists
protesting the highly controversial Keystone pipeline.
The 1,179 mile
pipeline, designed to move 800,000 barrels of petroleum a day from the tar
sands in Canada to the Texas Gulf coast was vetoed by President Obama in
February.
However, Republican Senate support rushed to override that veto
in March and failed, falling short in a vote of 62 to 37.
New documents now reveal that
the FBI operated in violation of its own rules to spy on environmental
activists, labeled in the report as “environmental extremists.”
Though the
activists monitored were non-violent and acting within accordance to the law,
throughout the 80 pages of previously confidential material they are labeled as
dangerous and a threat to the “vital” pipeline – that wasn’t even yet approved
to be built.
“Many of these extremists believe the debates over pollution, protection of wildlife, safety, and property rights have been overshadowed by the promise of jobs and cheaper oil prices,” the FBI document states. “The Keystone pipeline, as part of the oil and natural gas industry, is vital to the security and economy of the United States.” FBI DOCUMENTS
During
a two year investigation from November 2012 to June 2014, the FBI monitored
inside knowledge about upcoming protests, documented identities of protesters,
and flipped at least one informant.
These
investigations took place without prior approval of senior agents and lawyers
from the Houston field office, in direct conflict with rules set forth by the
attorney general.
The
office has since admitted the error, stating that, “While the FBI approval
levels required by internal policy were not initially obtained, once
discovered, corrective action was taken, non-compliance was remedied, and the
oversight was properly reported through the FBI’s internal oversight
mechanism,” but defended their choice to act.
The
investigation targeted to “take the initiative to secure and protect
activities and entities which may be targeted for terrorism or espionage.”
Some
environmental activists engaged in non-violent protest, being occasionally
guilty of trespass, but with no history of violent crime. Protesters were
logged into FBI databases for little more than taking pictures or simply being
present near sites of interest.
This took place in direct violation to the FBI’s Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide,
which contains very strict rules that prevent the FBI from interfering in
national politics. Paramount importance is placed on avoiding, “adverse impact
on civil liberties and public confidence.”
Why
was the FBI protecting corporate interests instead of individual rights? Why
investigate non-violent protesters as terrorists? Mike German, a former
FBI agent himself, worked with the Guardian on sifting through the 80 pages of
material, echoes this concern.
“It
is clearly troubling that these documents suggest the FBI interprets its
national security mandate as protecting private industry from political
criticism,” German states. The investigation was closed after 11 months of
failing to find any evidence of “extremist activity” – yet since, more than a dozen
activists have confirmed being contacted by the FBI throughout Oregon,
Washington, and Idaho – though the agency promises that they are not under
investigation.
Federal
Bureau of Investigation – or thugs for big oil? Questions now stir over whether
or not the FBI has been in direct collusion with TransCanada and actively
attempting to influence the pipeline’s fate.
