Alert: Reno's Police-State Power Grab

Washington, DC -- On September 28, Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) Released information exposing an effort by Attorney General Janet Reno and the Department of Justice to obtain massive new enforcement powers in the closing days of the 105th Congress.

Barr obtained the information from a confidential source within federal law enforcement. Among other things, the Department's "wish list" for new authority includes (among others):

• A vastly expanded definition of terrorism to include domestic crimes having no relationship to terrorism.
• The power to seize commercial transportation assets for federal use.
• The ability to commandeer personnel from other federal agencies without reimbursement.
• Expanded wiretaps, and wiretaps without any court authority.
• Enlarged asset forfeiture provisions to allow the FBI to seize personal property in both criminal and civil matters.
• The establishment of a permanent "FBI Police Force."
• Loosening of Posse Comitatus restrictions to allow more military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
• Authority to force telephone and Internet companies to divulge information on their customers.

"These requests belong on some bizarre conspiracy novel, not in serious legislative documents being circulated at the top levels of federal law enforcement. These proposals represent a sneak attack on the most cherished principles of our democracy. If they become a part of our law, freedom and privacy in America will be permanently diminished," said Barr.

Barr also noted the Department and the FBI are "shopping" this wish list in an effort to get the items placed in a spending measure without hearings or debate.

For additional information, visit Barr's website at http://www.house- gov/barr.