Lawfare, a term that has gained prominence in recent years, refers to the use of legal tactics to achieve political goals. It is a strategy that has been employed by both sides of the political spectrum, but its origins can be traced back to the Obama administration.
In a recent interview on the “Alex Marlow Show,” Breitbart News Senior Contributor and Government Accountability Institute President Peter Schweizer shed light on the origins of lawfare. According to Schweizer, the concept of lawfare was initially developed to combat terrorism, but it was later used by the Obama administration to target domestic political opponents.
Schweizer explained that the idea behind lawfare was to use the legal system to go after terrorists and their supporters. This approach involved using various legal tactics, such as lawsuits, to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks. However, under the Obama administration, this strategy was expanded to target political opponents.
Schweizer pointed out that the Obama administration used the same tactics that were used against terrorists to target individuals and organizations that were deemed as a threat to their political agenda. This included using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to target conservative groups, launching investigations into journalists who were critical of the administration, and using the Department of Justice to go after whistleblowers.
The most infamous example of lawfare during the Obama administration was the targeting of conservative groups by the IRS. In 2013, it was revealed that the IRS had been unfairly scrutinizing conservative organizations applying for tax-exempt status. This was done by delaying their applications, requesting excessive and unnecessary information, and subjecting them to invasive audits. This blatant abuse of power was a clear example of lawfare being used to silence political opponents.
Schweizer also highlighted the case of journalist James Rosen, who was targeted by the Obama administration for his reporting on a classified CIA operation. The Department of Justice labeled Rosen as a “co-conspirator” and obtained his personal emails and phone records without his knowledge or consent. This was a clear violation of the First Amendment and a prime example of lawfare being used to intimidate and silence the media.
The Obama administration’s use of lawfare did not stop there. It also targeted whistleblowers who exposed government wrongdoing. For instance, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden was charged with violating the Espionage Act for leaking classified information to the media. This was a clear attempt to discourage others from speaking out against government misconduct.
Schweizer’s revelations about the origins of lawfare and its use by the Obama administration are concerning. It shows how a well-intentioned strategy to combat terrorism can be twisted and used to target political opponents. This abuse of power undermines the very foundations of democracy and threatens the freedom of speech and press.
Unfortunately, lawfare has continued to be used by the left to this day. The Trump administration has also been a victim of lawfare, with numerous lawsuits and investigations being launched against the president and his associates. This only further highlights the need to address and prevent the misuse of lawfare for political gain.
In conclusion, lawfare was initially developed to combat terrorism, but it has been used by the left to target their political opponents. The Obama administration’s use of lawfare to silence and intimidate its critics is a dangerous precedent that must be addressed. It is essential to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs. Only then can we truly have a fair and just society.
