Assassination Archive and Research Center

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Volume 5: The National Security Agency and Fourth Amendment Rights

In 1975, few Americans had even heard of the National Security Agency. Created in 1952 as part of the Defense Department but with no written charter, the NSA’s primary mission is electronic intelligence gathering. Gathering intercepts of foreign electronic communications required an NSA staff of thousands in the 1970s. The Senate Select Committee’s questioning revolved around the use of this capability to target American citizens, particularly dissidents. The NSA’s Project MINARET, created in 1969 to spy on peace groups and black power organizations, was the subject of some focus. At issue were Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. Witnesses included the Director of the National Security Agency, Lew Allen. Also testifying were Attorney General Edward Levi and Professor of Law Philip Heymann.

ASSASSINATION ARCHIVES

AND RESEARCH CENTER