Fusion centers are meant to serve as hubs of intelligence to flow between federal government, private sector, state, local, tribal and territorial partners. However, in a recent investigation, the Brennan Center for Justice uncovered not only flawed analyses from the centers but also abuses of their authority and instances of the surveillance of people engaged in First Amendment-protected activities. Under the guise of counterterrorism, they have historically targeted American Muslims and claimed that activists are threats.
How can fusion centers be rehabilitated? What are the Brennan Center’s recommendations? What can be done on a local level to course-correct fusion centers?
Guest: Rachel Levinson-Waldman, managing director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty & National Security Program
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*This interview was recorded on Tuesday, January 17.