US Senators have demanded that multiple academic research centers focused on right-wing extremism hand over years worth of documentation, including records of communications with federal staff and sources of grant funding. The request comes as part of an investigation by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs's chair, Senator Rand Paul, into a program called Quiet Skies.
The Quiet Skies program was created in 2012 to screen passengers at airports but has been criticized for its heavy and unwarranted surveillance. Paul's committee is also looking into accusations that the program targeted conservatives who refused to wear masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Critics say the investigation is an attempt to chill academic research on far-right groups, while supporters claim it's a necessary examination of abusive federal surveillance. Researchers at universities focused on extremism have been asked to turn over documents related to the January 6 attack, vaccines, and more.
The committee has requested over 300 query terms related to extremist ideologies or individuals, including those with ties to Trump supporters, far-right groups, and even anti-fascist movements. Only a few of these terms appear to be connected to left-wing movements.
Experts say the demand for documents is part of a broader effort by Republicans to target academic researchers on extremism. Some fear that this could lead to increased scrutiny of research into right-wing radicalization.
In recent months, at least 10 pardoned January 6 defendants have allegedly re-offended on serious crimes. The investigation has also raised concerns about the Biden administration's response to conservatives who refused to abide by mask mandates during the pandemic.
The origins of Senator Paul's inquiry appear to lie in concerns from Republican figures that the Transportation Security Administration unlawfully surveiled conservatives during the Biden administration.
The Quiet Skies program was created in 2012 to screen passengers at airports but has been criticized for its heavy and unwarranted surveillance. Paul's committee is also looking into accusations that the program targeted conservatives who refused to wear masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Critics say the investigation is an attempt to chill academic research on far-right groups, while supporters claim it's a necessary examination of abusive federal surveillance. Researchers at universities focused on extremism have been asked to turn over documents related to the January 6 attack, vaccines, and more.
The committee has requested over 300 query terms related to extremist ideologies or individuals, including those with ties to Trump supporters, far-right groups, and even anti-fascist movements. Only a few of these terms appear to be connected to left-wing movements.
Experts say the demand for documents is part of a broader effort by Republicans to target academic researchers on extremism. Some fear that this could lead to increased scrutiny of research into right-wing radicalization.
In recent months, at least 10 pardoned January 6 defendants have allegedly re-offended on serious crimes. The investigation has also raised concerns about the Biden administration's response to conservatives who refused to abide by mask mandates during the pandemic.
The origins of Senator Paul's inquiry appear to lie in concerns from Republican figures that the Transportation Security Administration unlawfully surveiled conservatives during the Biden administration.
The more I read about this Quiet Skies program, the more it feels like a big ol' mess 
. I mean, who does Senator Paul think he is? Demanding all these documents from research centers? It's like he wants to control what people can and can't say about extremism 
. And let's not forget, some of those 300 query terms seem super biased towards right-wing groups 
. I'm not saying left-wing movements shouldn't be studied either, but come on! This whole thing feels like a bunch of hooey 
. And what really gets me is that it's an investigation by Senator Paul himself, who has ties to Trump supporters 
... total red flag 
.
), this whole thing feels like a big ol' chaos 
. Can't we just focus on understanding extremism in all its forms without trying to control what researchers can say? 
I guess that's the beauty of academia – it's all about questioning and exploring, not being told what to think 
.
. This is particularly problematic given the nebulous nature of the query terms used, which seem to disproportionately target conservative ideologies rather than genuinely investigating potential abuses of power 
. I'm reminded of the concept of 'academic freedom' and its importance in an open society, where scholars are empowered to study and critique various aspects of politics without fear of retribution 
. It's essential that researchers be able to explore complex issues like extremism without being coerced into providing sensitive information or facing undue scrutiny 
.
. It feels like they're more interested in silencing certain voices than actually understanding the complexities of extremism.
It just seems like a bunch of nonsense to me.
I'm worried about academics being bullied into not doing their research because it might be uncomfortable for the powers that be. We need more transparency and less surveillance, if you ask me 
. And what's up with this Quiet Skies program? It sounds like a whole lot of unnecessary snooping 
.
. I mean, who does Senator Paul think he's dealing with here? Academics just trying to study extremism? It's not like they're hiding something, right? 
. It just doesn't feel right that the investigation is focused so heavily on left-wing movements when there's real harm coming from the far-right... I guess what it comes down to is who gets to define what constitutes a "threat" to national security 
I'm thinking, with 1/3 of US citizens believing in right-wing extremism being monitored by authorities, we should be having an open discussion on surveillance instead of just trying to silence researchers 
. The numbers are scaring - 75% of experts say the investigation is a clear attempt to chill academic research 
. Meanwhile, only 1/10th of query terms relate to left-wing movements 
. However, since 2012, the Quiet Skies program has been criticized for its overreach - with 85% of passenger screening being unnecessary 
We need researchers who can help us understand these issues better, not just silence them 
.
it feels like republicans want to stifle any discussion about far-right extremism, and that's a problem 
senators are literally demanding research centers hand over all their docs related to right-wing extremism and it's like they think academics r gonna just spill all the tea 
rand pauls investigation is so shady and i'm low-key worried that researchers are gonna get bullied into hiding their work 
and btw what's up with the 300 query terms being mostly focused on right-wing stuff? 
... like, seriously, can't we just focus on stopping actual extremism instead of harassing innocent researchers? It's all so suspiciously partisan 
. The fact that 10 pardoned January 6 defendants have allegedly re-offended is a major red flag – what's the administration hiding?
. but seriously its just so weird that theyre trying to chill research on far-right groups.
.
... but not if its gonna be used against them 
. u feel me?? 