2023 SAB Program: National Security in the Age of Surveillance

In the wake of events like September 11 and January 6, the United States government has fortified its system of surveillance for counterterrorism purposes. Questions of legality, privacy, and constitutional rights have swirled around the topic of national security for decades, especially in recent years. Laws such as the Patriot Act have become synonymous with controversial law enforcement surveillance of American citizens.

Join us for a discussion on the evolution of national security practices, domestic terrorism, and the future of government surveillance.

Tom Crawford is a retired special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He served 23 years in the FBI’s Kansas City Division and then worked on the Joint Terrorism Task Force on international terrorism investigations. He later worked for the FBI’s counterintelligence program, and now teaches in the KU law school and political science department.

Michael German is a fellow with the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty & National Security Program, which seeks to ensure that the U.S. government respects human rights and fundamental freedoms in conducting the fight against terrorism. A former special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, his work focuses on law enforcement and intelligence oversight and reform. He joined the Brennan Center in 2014.

Moderated by SAB Student Coordinator, Catherine Magaña.

Held annually, the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) program is typically a balanced discussion of a timely issue that is important to students. SAB members, with the help of Dole Institute staff, carry out the functions of planning the event from development to promotion and execution.

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.