Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) sent a letter today to Attorney General Jeff Sessions urging a full and thorough investigation into reports of “unmasking” of U.S. citizens by then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice and other members of the Obama Administration.

“The astonishing reports that senior White House officials in the Obama Administration, most notably then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice, may have abused their powers of office to violate the 4th Amendment protections by ‘unmasking’ the identities of U.S. citizens involved with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in intelligence reports gives great cause for concern,” the letter states. “Ms. Rice and any others who may have been involved with these activities should be called to account to explain their actions. If the facts do show that indeed these powers were abused, those responsible should be held fully accountable in a fair, impartial and independent inquiry as that is the only way to assure the American people that their privacy rights are going to be protected now and in the future.”

The letter can be read here and below:

April 11, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Sessions

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Sessions:

The astonishing reports that senior White House officials in the Obama Administration, most notably then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice, may have abused their powers of office to violate the 4th Amendment protections by “unmasking” the identities of U.S. citizens involved with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in intelligence reports gives great cause for concern. On March 31, 2017 on Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor you stated “…we’ve never seen this kind of leaking. This has got to end and it’s probably going to take some convictions to do it.” Mr. Attorney General, I know you have those convictions and I urge you to act on them.

The United States of America has the most powerful intelligence capabilities in the world, allowing our enemies no safe quarter anywhere on Earth to plot acts of terror against our homeland and our citizens. The overwhelming majority of our intelligence community responsible for collecting and processing this information on our foreign adversaries are honorable and patriotic public servants. However, all of their good work is overshadowed and undermined when certain officials abuse it to carry out a political agenda. Ms. Rice and any others who may have been involved with these activities should be called to account to explain their actions. If the facts do show that indeed these powers were abused, those responsible should be held fully accountable in a fair, impartial and independent inquiry as that is the only way to assure the American people that their privacy rights are going to be protected now and in the future. I say independent because of the evidence that some responsible parties may still be federal employees.

There is no greater abuse of our intelligence capabilities than to turn them on American citizens – regardless of who those citizens are or however elevated their office may be. Furthermore, there is no more significant backdrop on which such activities may have been predicated than with respect to a presidential election. Simply put, Americans must know that we are protected and no one, regardless of position, small or mighty, will in any way use the powers of the intelligence services they command to put their finger on the scale of a presidential election. Any violation of these principles should elicit the maximum punishment available under the law. Anything otherwise, especially to satisfy supporters of these illegal activities who believe the ends justify the means, will only encourage misbehavior in the future and undermine the very agencies that are charged with keeping America safe.

The President, the Cabinet, Members of Congress and all government officials take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. In our co-equal system of government, it is not only appropriate but vitally important that breaches of that oath be investigated, and prosecuted when violations are found. I stand with you to see that this and related matters are given your full attention. Nothing short of our freedom, liberty and the very future of our great republic are at stake.

Sincerely,

Brian Babin, D.D.S.