Thread by @JasonLeopold

SCOOP w/@a_cormier_: DOJ granted DEA the authority to conduct "covert surveillance" & collect intel on people participating in protests over George Floyd's death. We obtained the DEA memo written by Timothy Shea, DEA acting administrator & ex-US atty
buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonl…

DEA was granted the authority on Sunday for the next two weeks on a nationwide basis to “intervene” to “protect both participants and spectators in the protests,” and to conduct interviews and searches, and arrest protesters who are alleged to have violated federal law.

From the DEA memo I obtained requesting authority from DOJ to conduct "covert surveillance" on protestors. (Document embedded in the story)

In a statement, Hugh Handeyside, a senior attorney for the ACLU, told us the DEA's "covert surveillance" of protestors may well constitute unwarranted investigation of people exercising their constitutional rights to seek justice."

FROM THE DEA MEMO we obtained granting the agency the authority to surveil and investigate people participating in the protests the police killing of George Floyd.

buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonl…