started · updated
FBI surveilled Catholic priests regarding Richmond memo, DOJ report finds
A new report from the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group reveals that the FBI conducted surveillance on two Catholic priests and investigated clergy affiliated with traditional Catholicism. This activity was linked to the January 2023 Richmond Domain Perspective memo, which characterized “radical traditional Catholics” as potential domestic violent extremists.
The report states that the Richmond FBI field office adopted framing from the Southern Poverty Law Center to develop its theory. Furthermore, FBI staff reportedly continued to revise the memo even after headquarters had ordered its deletion. While the FBI ultimately concluded the priests posed no national security threat, the report criticizes the bureau for failing to take significant corrective action following the initial leak of the memo.
Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Department of Justice will not tolerate a “weaponized bureaucracy” that infringes on First Amendment activities. The investigation into the memo's origins noted that the bureau's theory was built upon only three cases, including one involving a deceased individual.
Entities
Department of Justice · FBI · Richmond FBI Field Office · Southern Poverty Law Center · Todd Blanche
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Richmond Domain Perspective memo was an abuse of power that targeted religious beliefs without oversight. offthepress.com · amac.us
- [● 3 SOURCES] FBI personnel conducted surveillance on two Catholic priests. offthepress.com · amac.us · www.washingtonexaminer.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The FBI concluded the surveilled priests posed no national security threat. offthepress.com · amac.us
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Richmond FBI office used framing from the Southern Poverty Law Center to label radical traditional Catholics as extremists. offthepress.com · amac.us
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FBI under the Biden administration took minimal corrective action regarding the Richmond office's actions. www.washingtonexaminer.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FBI built its theory about radical-traditionalist Catholics using only three cases. www.washingtonexaminer.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] FBI staff continued revising the Richmond memo after headquarters ordered its deletion. offthepress.com · amac.us · www.washingtonexaminer.com