Written by Joshua Bennett.

In a move sparking significant controversy, the Biden-Harris administration has quietly revised a critical directive that once clearly prohibited the assassination of American citizens. Originally established during the Bush administration, the policy had ensured strict protections, asserting that no federal agency or employee could ever engage in such activities. However, recent changes to the language have caused an uproar, particularly among conservative circles, as it appears to open the door to more ambiguous interpretations in the realm of national security and intelligence operations.

The Quiet Change That Raised Alarms

This controversial change comes from an update to a directive first issued in August 2007, which itself stemmed from Ronald Reagan’s Executive Order 12333, signed back in 1981. The original language left no room for interpretation: “Under no circumstances shall any” federal body or employee participate in assassination activities. Fast forward to September 27, 2024, and this language was quietly altered. The new directive now vaguely states that no “civilian employee or member of the Armed Forces will engage in, or conspire to engage in assassination.”

What has conservative commentators buzzing is the removal of the phrase “under no circumstances.” This once crystal-clear prohibition has now been softened into something far less restrictive, raising serious concerns about the intent behind this adjustment. What was once an absolute safeguard now seems to have room for exceptions. Social media users, especially on conservative platforms, have been quick to point out the dangerous implications of this change.

Conservative Voices Respond to the Ominous Update

It didn’t take long for this amendment to catch the eye of influential conservative journalists. Notably, Ken Klippenstein’s page, KlipNews, first highlighted the change, sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter). Soon after, Natalie Winters, co-host of Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, weighed in, calling the revision “an odd thing to change,” especially given the omission of the unequivocal “under no circumstances” clause.

Further amplifying the debate, the conservative news outlet @amuse reposted the story, raising critical questions about the Biden administration’s motives. In a satirical yet poignant tone, they asked, “Why would the regime feel the need to legalize killing Americans who threaten the foundations of our democracy?” While the tone may have been tongue-in-cheek, the underlying fear is palpable—many on the right see this as a dangerous overreach of federal power.

Our Take

This revision is more than just bureaucratic tinkering; it’s a sign of a growing trend where government powers expand with little oversight. By removing clear language that prohibited assassination under any circumstances, the Biden-Harris administration has potentially opened a legal backdoor for targeting Americans. This shift should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation. The government’s job is to protect its citizens, not leave loopholes that could justify extreme measures. As the 2024 election approaches, vigilance is more important than ever to safeguard our democracy.