A confidential January 2026 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has revealed that the FBI conducted warrantless "assessments" on more than 1,000 individuals and groups, including dozens of journalists and news media members, over 100 religious organizations and leaders, and more than 500 public officials and political candidates, often without any evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
These assessments, a low-level investigative tool that requires no factual predicate or warrant, spanned 2018 to 2024 (covering parts of both the Trump and Biden administrations). They allowed the FBI to use methods such as physical surveillance, confidential informants, subpoenas to electronic communications services, and purchased data to gather intelligence on Americans not accused of crimes.
The report, obtained exclusively by Racket News and described as closely guarded (with instructions to destroy after use), highlights that of roughly 127,000 total assessments opened and closed in that period, only about 14% advanced to full investigations. Critics describe the practice as fishing expeditions that risk infringing on First Amendment protections.
While the assessments began before the Biden administration and continued across administrations, the revelations have drawn fresh scrutiny to FBI practices under Director Christopher Wray during the Biden years, with concerns about overreach into protected categories like the press, religion, and politics.
Former FBI special agent Mike German commented that the tools enable the bureau to "gather a dossier on anyone they choose," with far more information available today than in past eras of surveillance controversy.
No specific names of targets were disclosed in the report. The findings stem from a bipartisan congressional request in 2022 for GAO review of the assessment authority amid worries about improper monitoring of First Amendment activities.