New report: Feds seize billions in assets with no accountability

Last updated on: April 11, 2017 at 10:49 am by Convention of States

New report: Feds seize billions in assets with no accountability 2017-04-11T10:49:20-05:00 Convention of States

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

9547580380_42104f9574_b

The protection of private property from illegal search and seizure is at the heart of our criminal justice system. But a new report from the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reveals that the federal government isn’t taking this principle seriously at all.

The Department of Justice has seized $28 billion in private assets over the course of the last ten years, 77 percent of which was seized “administratively.” That means there was no review by an independent court: the federal government seized $21 billion without any accountability whatsoever.

To make matters worse, the OIG report also found that the feds have no way to track the effectiveness of this kind of asset forfeiture. Federal agencies seize the money and no one quite knows what happens to it after that.

Obviously, the constitutionality of this practice is suspect.

In a March 6 written opinion commenting on a Supreme Court decision not to consider a challenge to a civil asset forfeiture, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the Court should reassess “whether modern civil-forfeiture statutes can be squared with the Due Process Clause and our Nation’s history.”

Whether constitutional or no, the DOJ’s asset forfeiture program is yet another instance of the federal government abusing its power. While marginal reform from within DC is possible, the best way to stop this kind of abuse is with an Article V Convention of States.

A Convention of States can propose constitutional amendments that limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government. Such amendments can give the states and the people more power to hold DC accountable. Whether it be asset forfeiture, health care overreach, or fiscal irresponsibility, We the People need a recourse when the feds overstep their constitutional bounds.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 8, 2017

Growing number of states commit to teach students this very controversial subject

Next Post

April 11, 2017 Report: Veterans in crisis still left hanging by help line

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many days did the Israelites march around Jericho before the walls fell?

Select your answer to see how you score.

12 days 40 days 7 days 3 days