News & Commentary written by Patrick Toomey

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Patrick Toomey

Deputy Director

ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµNational Security Project

Bio

Patrick Toomey () is the deputy director of the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµNational Security Project, where he works on issues related to privacy and surveillance, racial and ethnic discrimination, and the use of novel technologies like artificial intelligence. His litigation and advocacy often focus on national security prosecutions or policies where these issues intersect. Patrick has litigated high-profile cases challenging sweeping surveillance programs operated by U.S. intelligence agencies, and has represented Asian American scientists who have been wrongly investigated and prosecuted by the U.S. government. Patrick's writing and commentary on national security and civil liberties issues appear regularly in the media. Patrick is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School. After graduating from law school, he served as a law clerk to the Hon. Nancy Gertner, United States district judge for the District of Massachusetts, and to the Hon. Barrington D. Parker, United States circuit judge for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to joining the ACLU, Patrick worked on criminal defense, regulatory defense, and intellectual property matters at a law firm in New York.


Featured work

Jan 15, 2025

Banning TikTok is Unconstitutional. The Supreme Court Must Step In.

Banning TikTok is Unconstitutional. The Supreme Court Must Step In.

Apr 25, 2024

How is One of America's Biggest Spy Agencies Using AI? We're Suing to Find Out.

How is One of America's Biggest Spy Agencies Using AI? We're Suing to Find Out.

Nov 4, 2021

Can the Government Wrongfully Spy on You and Get Away With It?

Can the Government Wrongfully Spy on You and Get Away With It?

Sep 7, 2021

The Privacy Lesson of 9/11: Mass Surveillance is Not the Way Forward

The Privacy Lesson of 9/11: Mass Surveillance is Not the Way Forward

Jun 11, 2021

No More Spying on Journalists

No More Spying on Journalists

Jun 1, 2021

A New Consensus Around Transparency and National Security Surveillance

A New Consensus Around Transparency and National Security Surveillance

Apr 2, 2021

A Chinese American Scientist and His Family Are Battling the FBI’s Profiling in Court

A Chinese American Scientist and His Family Are Battling the FBI’s Profiling in Court

Mar 26, 2021

The Government is Racing to Deploy AI, But at What Cost to Our Freedom?

The Government is Racing to Deploy AI, But at What Cost to Our Freedom?

Feb 5, 2020

The Government is Using its Foreign Intelligence Spying Powers for Routine Domestic Investigations

The Government is Using its Foreign Intelligence Spying Powers for Routine Domestic Investigations

Jan 18, 2019

The Justice Department Shouldn’t Be Snooping on Journalists

The Justice Department Shouldn’t Be Snooping on Journalists