USPS spied on 2nd Amendment rallies?!... New document shows YOU may have been spied on by USPS...

Published on September 23, 2022
Duration: 6:19

This video discusses a Washington Times report detailing how the U.S. Postal Service, through its inspectors and an 'Internet Covert Operations Program' (ICOPS), surveilled Americans, including those participating in Second Amendment rallies. Records obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request revealed this surveillance occurred between September 2020 and April 2021, focusing on issues involving guns and President Biden's election. A subsequent audit by the Postal Service Inspector General found that certain surveillance activities exceeded law enforcement authority and may not have been legally authorized.

Quick Summary

New documents obtained by the Washington Times suggest the U.S. Postal Service may have spied on Americans, including attendees of Second Amendment rallies, using an 'Internet Covert Operations Program' (ICOPS). An audit later found these activities may have exceeded law enforcement authority.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Topic Reveal
  2. 00:37Sponsor Segment: SDI
  3. 01:15Source: Washington Times Report
  4. 01:28Postal Service Surveilled Protesters
  5. 02:16Tracking Gun Rights Activists in Richmond
  6. 02:36Internet Covert Operations Program (ICOPS)
  7. 03:13Redacted Situational Awareness Bulletin
  8. 03:21Second Amendment Rally Surveillance
  9. 03:46Postal Service Statement on Surveillance
  10. 04:28Postal Inspector General's Audit Findings
  11. 04:44Exceeding Law Enforcement Authority
  12. 05:30Postal Service Agreement for Review
  13. 06:06Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the USPS spy on Second Amendment rallies?

According to a Washington Times report based on FOIA documents, U.S. Postal Service inspectors monitored protesters, including those at Second Amendment rallies. This surveillance occurred between September 2020 and April 2021, raising concerns about privacy and constitutional rights.

What was the 'Internet Covert Operations Program' (ICOPS)?

ICOPS was an open-source intelligence tool used by postal inspectors for covert social media surveillance. Records indicate it was employed between February and April 2021 as part of broader monitoring efforts.

What did the Postal Service Inspector General's audit find?

The audit found that certain proactive searches conducted by the Postal Inspection Service using ICOPS exceeded their law enforcement authority. It also could not corroborate the legal authorization for other work completed by analysts during a specific period.

What is the Postal Service's justification for surveillance?

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated that its inspectors occasionally review publicly available information to assess potential safety or security threats to Postal Service employees, facilities, operations, and infrastructure.

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