John James took cash from Flock's surveillance-camera lobbyists #maga #michigan #johnjames

Our Take

MAGA Report Cards is making a point that should resonate no matter where you sit politically: surveillance money doesn't care about party labels. The video points to Rep. John James accepting contributions tied to Flock Safety's lobbying operation, and whether or not you're a fan of the channel's broader politics, the underlying concern is one we track closely — the company selling your town a 'public safety' camera network is also working Capitol Hill and state capitols to keep the cash and the cameras flowing.

This is exactly why DeFlock exists. Flock's pitch to city councils is framed as crime-fighting, but the business model depends on expanding a nationwide database of vehicle movements, and that expansion is helped along by relationships with the lawmakers who oversee it. When a member of Congress takes money from the people lobbying for looser rules around ALPR deployment and data sharing, voters deserve to know — regardless of party.

We can't verify every dollar amount or claim in a third-party video, so take the specifics with appropriate caution and watch the full clip yourself. But the pattern is worth watching closely. Check our map to see if Flock cameras are already running in your area, and visit take action for ways to push back at the local level, where these fights are still winnable.