The Facebook Files: Unraveling the FBI's Illegal Pressure on Big Tech to Censor Americans.
In a recent revelation, internal Facebook documents have shed light on the FBI's involvement in the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story, which was first published by the New York Post in October 2020. This report delves into the intricate web of interactions between the FBI, Facebook, and Twitter, and the implications these have for the freedom of speech and the role of Big Tech in shaping public discourse.
The FBI's Role in the Suppression Saga
FBI Special Agent Elvis Chan, a key figure within the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, has emerged as the primary link between the FBI and major tech companies. On October 14, 2020, the same day the New York Post released its story on Hunter Biden's laptop, Agent Chan was present at a meeting between the FBI and Facebook.
Laura Dehmlow, the current Section Chief of the Foreign Influence Task Force, was also in attendance. When Facebook inquired about the authenticity of the laptop, Dehmlow's response was a curt "no comment." This, despite the FBI being in possession of the laptop and having knowledge of its authenticity.
The FBI's Inconsistent Testimonies
In a subsequent interview with the Judiciary GOP and Weaponization, Laura Dehmlow's testimony revealed that the FBI had intentionally withheld vital information from social media giants on the day the New York Post story was published. It was disclosed that the FBI had met with Twitter earlier on October 14, prior to their meeting with Facebook. When Twitter sought clarity on the laptop's authenticity, an FBI agent confirmed its legitimacy. However, another agent, a lawyer, interjected, offering "no further comment."
This inconsistency led to emergency internal deliberations within the FBI, culminating in a decision to maintain a "no comment" stance on the matter. Later that day, when Facebook posed the same question, the FBI, now with a unified narrative, reiterated their "no comment" response.
The Fallout
The aftermath of these interactions was significant. Both Twitter and Facebook took steps to censor the New York Post story. The Biden campaign, capitalizing on the situation, initiated a series of events that led to 51 former intelligence officials discrediting the story as Russian disinformation. As a result, in the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, a majority of Americans were either unaware of the story or were misled into believing it was a product of Russian interference.
The Deposition of Elvis Chan
Fast forward to November 2022, Elvis Chan was deposed as a central figure in the government's alleged censorship activities. During his deposition, Chan provided testimony about the October 14 meeting with Facebook. When questioned about any other meetings or communications between the FBI and Big Tech regarding the Hunter Biden story, Chan denied any knowledge or involvement. However, recent evidence suggests otherwise. An internal Facebook document has surfaced, indicating that Agent Chan had a "follow-up" call with Facebook on October 15, contradicting his earlier statements.
The Ongoing Investigation
The inconsistencies in Agent Chan's statements have raised eyebrows. Despite his claims of having "no internal knowledge" of the FBI's investigation into Hunter Biden's laptop, a Facebook employee (and former FBI agent) noted that Chan was well-informed about the FBI's stance on the matter.
The FBI's possession of the laptop since December 2019 further complicates the narrative. The Biden Department of Justice's reluctance to allow the Committee to interview Agent Chan has only added to the intrigue.
As the investigation continues, there is a growing call for transparency and accountability. The overarching concern remains: the potential erosion of the First Amendment and the unchecked power of the "censorship-industrial complex."
The Legal Battle Ahead
The federal case against the Biden Administration is still in progress. A recent injunction granted by a federal court seeks to prohibit the Biden Administration from censoring Americans. However, the Department of Justice is appealing the decision, with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals set to hear oral arguments soon. The outcome of this case will have profound implications for the freedom of speech in America.
To be continued...
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The Facebook Files were particularly sad to read about. Mark has been very public about this. When he created Facebook, he did not want any sort of censorship and he truly wanted his platform to be a place where people all around the world can connect. Unfortunately, due to his company having bad outside influence plus the fact his company was public, it was very difficult to not cave to the mob at that time. When the Democrats came to him and pressured him, he had no choice. Either let Facebook slowly drown from Democrat pressure or just cave. Now as the tides are turning, hopefully he and the entire Facebook leadership does the right thing as America is becoming more and more conservative by the moment.