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The prosecution has already emerged as a critical test for how the Biden administration approaches the growing threat of homegrown anti-government groups. More than that, though, the case epitomizes the ideological divisions that have riven the country over the past several years. To some, the FBI’s infiltration of the innermost circle of armed anti-government groups is a model for how to successfully forestall dangerous acts of domestic terrorism. But for others, it’s an example of precisely the kind of outrageous government overreach that radicalizes people in the first place, and, increasingly, a flashpoint for deep state conspiracy theories.
The government has documented at least 12 confidential informants who assisted the sprawling investigation. The trove of evidence they helped gather provides an unprecedented view into American extremism, laying out in often stunning detail the ways that anti-government groups network with each other and, in some cases, discuss violent actions.
An examination of the case by BuzzFeed News also reveals that some of those informants, acting under the direction of the FBI, played a far larger role than has previously been reported. Working in secret, they did more than just passively observe and report on the actions of the suspects. Instead, they had a hand in nearly every aspect of the alleged plot, starting with its inception. The extent of their involvement raises questions as to whether there would have even been a conspiracy without them.
[...] This account is based on an analysis of court filings, transcripts, exhibits, audio recordings, and other documents, as well as interviews with more than two dozen people with direct knowledge of the case, including several who were present at meetings and training sessions where prosecutors say the plot was hatched. All but one of the 14 original defendants have pleaded not guilty, and they vigorously deny that they were involved in a conspiracy to kidnap anyone.
Buzzfeed says more, in detail. Enough was quoted to frame an understanding.
The wheels of judicial attention - dare I say wheels of justice - turn slowly, but something ultimately gets decided, with/without attention directed where we, as outside observers, might want to see it directed, and until then, the game is called, "What is entrapment," or at least appears from Buzzfeed to be so.
What
is an abuse of every person's right of free association in terms of
manipulation by officials seeping into the network spying and inciting?
Investigation? Is there no limit? Pegasus flies? Good horsie?
Whether Pegasus surveillance was a factor in this reported entangled conspiracy prosecution situation is not explored by Buzzfeed. Rather, the question is raised anew from general knowledge and from current online questioning of use of the Pegasus software by nations to spy on citizens, via breaching of iPhone security when there was an expectation of privacy; see Katz, Warren Court, (with the full case linked to from here).
What size is the gap between infiltration/exhortation/surveillance, and going a step further to cooking an alleged outright forgery? Where should the line be drawn; and what relief is proper if the government oversteps the line?
UPDATE: DWT expands on the Buzzfeed speculation/reporting and cites to other sources. "How Far Will Government Go to Defeat Climate Activists?"
Read there how the current prosecution could have severe blowback for activists of green, union, or other causes. If the pendulum swings one way it has a back swing.
If the process is flawed, the actual victim du jour becomes less material, than that the process must be untainted, even, without any arguable appearance of taint.