Rep. Eric Burlison, R-MO, blasted the Surveillance State that exists within our federal government, an ongoing debate that has existed for decades.
Following the devastating 9/11 attacks just 25 years ago, the U.S. government has ramped up efforts to spy on it’s own citizens, with most common argument in favor of this is being that it keeps the American People safe and prevents something like 9/11 from ever happening again.
In 2026 new debates surrounding the use of flock cameras and their expansion have raised concerns that this violates our 4th amendment rights to privacy, while supporters continue to argue that it ensures public safety.
Flock camera across the country are being sabotaged in response to their expansion.
Burlison and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, introduced a bill known as the “Flock-Off Act,” which would cut off federal funding for flock camera expansion and address the growing concerns in the American public over their usage.
The bill has six additional cosponsors.
The Gateway Pundit spoke to Burlison about his bill in an exclusive interview.
Burlison did not hold back on his opposition to the surveillance state.
Rep. @EricBurlison on his “Flock Off Act,” which he introduced with @RepThomasMassie.
Should flock camera usage be restricted? Is China spying on us through our cellular devices?
New story for the @gatewaypundit coming soon. pic.twitter.com/yId8QYytr2
— Myles Morell (@MorellMedia) September 4, 2026
“Look, I don’t wanna live in a surveillance state. I don’t think anybody does. I also think that this whole argument that if you don’t support Flock cameras, that’s not a support for law enforcement, I totally disagree,” Burlison told TGP.
“You can do it in a way where you’re not violating the rights of innocent people.”
Burlison also emphasized the rapid growth of technology and AI over the past few decades.
“Everything’s moving so rapidly where you have this technology that’s surveilling people. You have AI, you have this massive data collection. I think we need to hit the pause button and put some guardrails to make sure that we’re not violating people’s civil liberties,” Burlison told TGP.
The rise of AI, surveillance technology, and massive data collection has also raised major concerns.
Critics argue that AI poses major risks that will eliminate jobs, while supporters like billionaire Bill Gates argue that AI development is natural for societal growth.
The conversation then shifted to growing concerns that China, one of our biggest rivals on the global stage, is spying on the American People through Apple and Android devices, which are very popular with the American Public.
Hundreds of millions of Americans own Apple and Android devices. Most of these devices are made in Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, and Korea.
Burlison is convinced that China is spying on us through these devices and defends voting against a three-week extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
“Oh, absolutely. I think that in general, and it’s beyond the company Flock. This is just technology used to surveil people,” Burlison told TGP.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve had this position. I took a stand to say I’m not gonna reauthorize FISA and allow this government to spy on you, the citizen, without a warrant. I think that in the same way, we should not let our law enforcement at the federal, state, or local level be able to spy on citizens without a warrant.”
The Surveillance State is an entity that has been growing since its origins following 9/11, and opposition to it has only intensified.
In 2013, whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed the Surveillance State on a scale never seen before.
Snowden revealed the existence of global surveillance programs, which confirmed that the governments of various countries are spying on the American People.
Since then, debates surrounding the Surveillance State have only escalated, with Flock cameras being at the forefront of today’s discussion.
Do Flock cameras violate our 4th amendment rights? Do you support Burlison and Massie’s bill to cut federal funding for Flock cameras? Is China spying on the American People?
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