Jefferson City News

In a recent House Financial Services Committee Hearing, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, chair of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, expressed his concerns about the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) targeting law-abiding Americans.

During his opening remarks, Luetkemeyer acknowledged the importance of FinCEN's work in maintaining national security and countering criminal activities. However, he raised alarm over the agency's use of its broad authorities to target not only foreign assets but also innocent American citizens based on mere suspicion of political disagreement with the current administration.

Luetkemeyer stated, "It has become disturbingly clear... that FinCEN has trained its broad, powerful, and often opaque authorities... on law-abiding Americans merely on the suspicion that they may disagree with the Administration now in power." He emphasized the need for transparency and called for the American public to be informed if their bank records were being collected simply because of their political affiliations or activities.

The congressman stressed that FinCEN and the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) should prioritize their efforts on combating America's enemies rather than targeting innocent citizens. He asserted, "FinCEN and TFI must be focused on America's enemies, not innocent American citizens."

Adding to the concerns raised by Luetkemeyer, earlier this year, the House Judiciary Committee obtained documents revealing that FinCEN had requested financial firms to search for terms such as "MAGA" and "Trump," as well as transactions related to firearms from sporting goods stores. The purpose of these searches was to gather information for potential prosecution of conservatives.

Luetkemeyer's remarks shed light on the need for oversight and accountability within FinCEN to ensure that its powers are not misused to infringe upon the privacy and rights of law-abiding Americans. As the Subcommittee Chair on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, Luetkemeyer's concerns carry weight and demand attention from both FinCEN and the wider public.

It remains to be seen how FinCEN will respond to these concerns and what measures will be taken to address the alleged targeting of law-abiding Americans.