1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am a constituent writing to demand that you publicly question—and clearly condemn—Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), regarding statements widely reported and discussed as claiming the ADL has a “team of analysts” tracking or “spying” on Americans who are exercising their First Amendment rights to speak critically of Israel, a foreign state. Americans have an absolute right to criticize any government—foreign or domestic—without being monitored, profiled, blacklisted, or intimidated. When a powerful, politically connected organization suggests it is actively scrutinizing Americans’ lawful political speech—especially speech critical of a foreign government—that is a chilling message to the public and a direct threat to open democratic debate. To be clear: I am not asking you to defend hateful speech. I am demanding that you defend lawful speech—especially core political expression—against viewpoint-based surveillance and retaliation. If Mr. Greenblatt’s remarks were inaccurate or overstated, then he should be pressed to correct the record immediately and publicly. If they were accurate, then Congress should treat this as a serious civil liberties issue and respond accordingly. I am requesting the following actions from your office: 1. Public condemnation of viewpoint-based surveillance of lawful political speech Issue a clear statement that Americans must not be tracked, profiled, or punished for criticizing the policies of Israel (or any foreign government), and that any insinuation of “spying” on protected speech is unacceptable. 2. Formal questioning and document requests Ask Mr. Greenblatt—in writing and/or in a public forum—to answer the questions below and to provide documentation sufficient to verify his answers. 3. Oversight of government reliance on ADL information Determine whether any federal agency, grant-funded program, contractor, or federally supported task force relies on ADL “analysis,” lists, dossiers, or reports in a way that could encourage surveillance, censorship, or retaliation against constitutionally protected speech. Questions your office should put to Mr. Greenblatt (and the ADL) include: • What did you mean by “team of analysts,” and what precisely are they tasked with doing regarding Americans’ speech about Israel? • What sources are used—public social media, private data brokers, partnerships, scraping tools, campus reporting, employer tips, or other means? • Do you compile profiles on individuals based on their political views or activism (including students, workers, journalists, or organizers)? • What criteria are used to label speech as “extremist,” “antisemitic,” or otherwise suspicious, and how do you separate protected political criticism of Israel from unlawful harassment or threats? • With whom is ADL’s collected information shared—law enforcement, federal agencies, state fusion centers, private employers, universities, donors, or foreign entities? • How long is information retained, and what is the process for correction, appeal, and deletion if someone is mischaracterized? • Does ADL use or purchase data from brokers, and does it engage in any geolocation, identity-resolution, or network-mapping practices? • Has ADL ever encouraged third parties to take adverse action (discipline, firing, denial of admission, deplatforming, or other penalties) based primarily on lawful speech critical of Israel? Regardless of one’s views on Israel, Palestine, or any other issue, Congress must not normalize the idea that Americans should be watched for expressing political opinions about a foreign state. That is incompatible with a free society. If you have participated in ADL-affiliated events, delegations, conferences, briefings, or programs—or if your office coordinates closely with ADL—this moment requires extra clarity and accountability: the public deserves to know that elected officials will not tolerate or enable surveillance and intimidation directed at lawful political dissent. Please reply with: (1) whether you will publicly condemn these alleged remarks, (2) what steps you will take to question Mr. Greenblatt/ADL, and (3) whether you will support hearings or oversight requests to ensure no government resources are being used—directly or indirectly—to chill protected speech.