Central Wisconsin News

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Accountability in Interviews Reform (FAIR) Act, introduced by Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), has passed the House Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support. The bill, known as H.R. 5736, aims to ensure that all Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement officers, agents, and employees record both custodial and non-custodial interviews of U.S. citizens suspected of committing a criminal offense.

In a statement, Congressman Tiffany expressed his concerns about the abuse of power by the DOJ, stating, "The DOJ should serve every U.S. citizen with open, fair, and impartial justice; instead, they are weaponizing their power against the American people. The FAIR Act will hold the DOJ accountable and ensure fairness for criminal defendants."

The need for such legislation arises from the lack of a legal requirement for DOJ agents and officers to record interviews, despite a policy in place since 2014 that suggests custodial interviews be electronically recorded. This has allowed for the FBI's standard practice of agents taking handwritten notes during interviews and relying on memory to summarize those notes in Form 302.

The misuse of Form 302 was highlighted when an FD-302 interview with Lieutenant General Michael Flynn was handled irregularly, with multiple drafts and heavy editing. This incident shed light on the potential for manipulation and inaccuracies in the current system.

Currently, 27 states, including Wisconsin, have laws mandating the recording of custodial interviews in some form. The FAIR Act seeks to bring this practice to a national level, ensuring consistency and transparency in the justice system.

The passage of the FAIR Act in the House Judiciary Committee is a significant step towards holding bad actors within the DOJ accountable. With bipartisan support, the bill demonstrates a commitment to fairness and justice for all American citizens.

For his part, Congressman Tiffany has emphasized the importance of this legislation and its potential impact. He stated, "The FAIR Act will establish a clear standard for DOJ interviews, preventing potential abuses and ensuring that justice is served. It is our duty to protect the rights of the accused and maintain the integrity of our justice system."

As the FAIR Act moves forward, it is expected to face further scrutiny and debate in the House of Representatives. However, with the bipartisan support it has already garnered, there is hope that the bill will ultimately become law, bringing about much-needed accountability and fairness within the DOJ.

The full text of Congressman Tiffany's remarks on the FAIR Act can be found on his official website, providing further insight into the goals and motivations behind this legislation. Additionally, the text of the FAIR Act itself is available for review, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all interested parties.

In a time when public trust in law enforcement and the justice system is paramount, the passage of the FAIR Act represents a positive step towards restoring that trust. By requiring the recording of DOJ interviews, the bill seeks to eliminate potential abuses of power and ensure that justice is served in a fair and impartial manner.