U.s. Army Counterintelligence Special Agents - 1377 Words

How can lawmakers maintain a balanced approach while collecting intelligence on United States persons in order to prevent a national security crime and provide full consideration to the rights of said persons? Does the current legislation permit U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agents to conduct investigations to the fullest extent or does it hamper their ability to properly investigate? Lawmakers have asked these questions since the inception of government executed counterintelligence operations in order to support our country’s leaders trying to strike the perfect balance of investigative freedom and citizen’s rights. When the Counterintelligence Corps was formed in 1961 there were few laws that governed intelligence collection.†¦show more content†¦Its goal is to protect the rights of U.S. Citizens by giving everyone an expectation of privacy with a reasonable standard of the Fourth Amendment. As stated by Executive Order 12333, one main goal is: Al l means, consistent with applicable United States law and this Order, and with full consideration of the rights of United States persons, shall be used to develop intelligence information for the President and the National Security Council. A balanced approach between technical collection efforts and other means should be maintained and encouraged. (Executive Order 12333) The Order has four main goals, the one above applies specifically to the relationship of intelligence investigations and civilians rights. Executive Order 12333 was produced for intelligence activities conducted within the Executive Branch of the government, which includes: the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Army Counterintelligence and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. However, Executive Order 12333 affects intelligence and law enforcement operations because of its jurisdiction over all of these organizations. Operational conduct is distinctly different between law enforcement operations and intelligence investigations conducted by intelligence agencies. Captain Aaron Johnson, an Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) magistrate,