If this doesn’t scream “Big Brother is watching,” I don’t know what does. Two videos have been lighting up X, showcasing none other than the FBI themselves, knocking on the doors of ordinary Americans over social media posts.
It’s a fundamental principle to flag genuine threats of violence or extremism; nobody’s disputing that. However, what we’re witnessing now is a draconian overreach, where expressions of dissent or opinions that veer off the path of political correctness are being punished by Big Tech and the government.
Take the case of Rolla Abdeljawad in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She opens her door to find three folks claiming to be FBI agents, who, oddly enough, get camera shy when asked for ID. They’re there to chat about her social media musings. “We just want to talk about some posts you’ve made,” they say as if they’re discussing the weather and not infringing on her First Amendment rights.
The FBI agents claim Facebook was their informant, handing over screenshots of her account. Since when did exercising free speech warrant a personal visit from the feds? “We’re just trying to keep everyone safe,” they say. Safe from what? Free thought?
And then there’s Kam St. Martin, who finds the FBI on her doorstep over a tweet about a man she claims killed her cousin. Since when does calling out alleged murderers on X get you a face-to-face with the FBI?
Both cases paint a chilling picture of today’s America under the watchful eyes of the FBI, turning up at citizens’ homes over online posts. Is this the land of the free, where you can get an FBI escort for speaking your mind online? It’s a startling reminder of the lengths to which government agencies might go, under the guise of public safety, to monitor and possibly intimidate citizens exercising their freedom of speech. What’s next? It’s a slippery slope, and one we’re sliding down faster than we realize.
It’s not just about being watched anymore—though that’s invasive enough—it’s about American citizens being hunted down by the FBI for the “crime” of voicing views that ruffle the feathers of the powers that be. The effect this has on free speech cannot be overstated. It’s as if the First Amendment is being whittled down, tweet by tweet, post by post. This isn’t the hallmark of the free society we pride ourselves on; it’s the strategy of a surveillance state, keen on silencing any whisper of dissent.
