Oversight and pushbackOct 2025 – Sept 2026
Other pushback from Congress, security experts and community groups
Smaller actions pushing back on federal surveillance: members of Congress challenging ICE purchases and government spyware, security experts criticizing the 2026 counterterrorism strategy, and community groups organizing against ICE.
Sixteen senators urged cancellation of the shock-glove contract; DHS called them "despicable." House Democrats (Lee, Jacobs, Garcia) opened a Paragon inquiry in Oct 2025, answered by Lyons in Apr 2026. Sen. Peters requested Graphite records (Jul 23, 2026). Rep. Shontel Brown sent a Penlink oversight letter to DHS Secretary Noem on Feb 19, 2026. Schneier and Cohn criticized the 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy for aiming foreign-targeted powers at domestic political groups. Prism Reports (Sept 10) covered neighborhood ICE watch groups and community pressure on state and local funding, and a Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights letter representing 240+ organizations.
How we know: Listed as "other verified pushback."
Source chain
- 01shontelbrown.house.govprimarylink being reconstructed
- 02Prism Reports, Sept 10link being reconstructed
- 03Lawfarelink being reconstructed
What changed on this claim