Day: October 9, 2025

Unleashed and Unaccountable
The American Civil Liberties Union ( #ACLU) famously used this phrase in 2013 to describe the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( #FBI).The phrase ” #UnleashedandUnaccountable” typically refers to a person, organization, or force that has been freed from restraint and is not responsible or answerable for its actions
The ACLU report
In September 2013, the ACLU published a report titled “Unleashed and Unaccountable: The FBI’s Unchecked Abuse of Authority”. This report argued that the FBI had transformed into a “secret domestic intelligence agency” with dramatically expanded powers following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The report’s key claims include:
Expansion of power: The ACLU contended that the FBI was “unleashed” from its traditional restraints after 9/11 and given new, extraordinary authorities.
Abuse of authority: The report documented specific instances where the FBI allegedly abused its power, infringed on civil liberties, and used programs like its “eGuardian” system without sufficient safeguards.
Evasion of oversight: The ACLU asserted that the FBI evaded oversight from Congress and the Attorney General, allowing abuses to continue unchecked, making the agency “unaccountable” for its actions.
General interpretations
Beyond its specific use by the ACLU, the phrase can be applied to any context where an entity’s actions lack proper control and scrutiny.
“Unleashed” refers to:
Freedom from restraint: Being released from legal, ethical, or conventional limitations.
Power without supervision: Having the authority to act without a higher power or check to enforce restrictions.
“Unaccountable” means:
No explanation required: Not having to justify or explain one’s actions to anyone in authority.
Freedom from responsibility: Not being responsible for the consequences of one’s actions.

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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 9, 2025