Neo-Nazi charged with plotting to attack power grid has a new defender — the ACLU

Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project have joined the defense team for Brandon Clint Russell, the neo-Nazi accused of plotting to attack power substations around Baltimore.

Their involvement stems from questions raised in recent weeks by Russell’s attorneys about whether federal authorities used and have failed to disclose the use of a controversial foreign surveillance tool in the investigation that foiled the alleged plot.

The ACLU’s Ashley Gorski, a senior staff attorney, said in a statement that the group joined for the limited purpose of challenging the government’s warrantless backdoor searches, saying they believe it occurred in this case and is “a rare and important opportunity” to challenge the practice.

“For the ACLU, this is about government abuse and power,” Gorski said. “In defending the Fourth Amendment Rights at stake in this case, we seek to ensure that all Americans are protected from warrantless government surveillance.”

Read more: The Baltimore Banner